A $200K Grant Opportunity
Bridging the Workforce Gap
with AI + AR
TACA × skillia.AI × Meta
February 2026 · Confidential
The Two Crises
1.9M
manufacturing jobs unfilled by 2033
Deloitte / National Association of Manufacturers
85%
of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed
National Autism Indicators Report
"The barrier isn't capability. It's training methodology."
The Hidden Workforce
90–140%
more productive than neurotypical peers
JPMorgan Autism at Work
30%
fewer errors in quality-focused roles
1 in 31
children has autism (CDC 2025) — the workforce is coming
- Ideal for: precision assembly, quality inspection, measurement, repetitive procedures
"Manufacturing needs exactly what autistic workers do best."
Why Training Fails Today
Traditional Methods
- Verbal instructions
- Tribal knowledge
- "Watch Joe do it"
These are the worst methods for autistic learners.
What Autistic Learners Need
- Visual & structured
- Step-by-step
- Repeatable & self-paced
"The gap isn't talent. It's the training interface."
Introducing Skill Graphs
Skills don't exist in isolation. Neither should training.
Grip Wrench
→
Torque Calibration
→
Quality Check
→
Sign-Off
Not a flat checklist
Interconnected skill nodes that map real workflows. Learners see how skills relate and build on each other.
AI-generated from video
An expert records a 2-minute video. AI generates a visual, step-by-step SOP and connects it to the graph.
How It Works
1
Expert records a procedure on video
2
AI generates visual, step-by-step work instruction
3
Related skills auto-connect into a Skill Graph
4
Learner wears Meta glasses — guided through personalized path
5
AI tracks progress across the skill graph
Why Meta Glasses
- Hands-free guidance in real work environments
- No social anxiety of asking for help repeatedly
- Self-paced, repeatable, consistent — every time
- Works anywhere: factory floor, therapy center, home
"The glasses don't replace the trainer. They scale the trainer."
The Evidence
0.91
effect size for video modeling on job skills
Bellini & Akullian meta-analysis
73–94%
employment rate with Project SEARCH + ASD support
Proven
Stanford Superpower Glass & Brain Power confirm AR + autism feasibility
Real programs hiring autistic workers in manufacturing today:
FALA Technologies (NY) · New Way Air Bearings (PA) · Spero Careers (Canada)
"This isn't experimental. It's evidence-based."
Why TACA
- Trusted by thousands of autism families nationwide
- Built-in pilot community — immediate access to participants
- Clinical guidance from practitioner network
- 501(c)(3) status — required for Meta grant eligibility
- Erich's unique position — bridge between TACA, SprintRay (manufacturing), and industry
The Market Opportunity
$828M US ASD treatment market → $1.4B by 2033 · $3.5M lifetime cost per unemployed autistic adult · WOTC tax credits up to $2,400/hire
The Ask
$200K Meta Catalyst Grant · Deadline: March 9, 2026
Phase 1: Pilot
20 families · 10 manufacturing skills · 12-week program
Validate the training methodology with real autistic learners and real manufacturing procedures.
Phase 2: Scale
Expand to TACA's national network
Build the playbook for autism-inclusive manufacturing training powered by AI + AR.
"What we need from TACA: Letter of support, pilot families, clinical input."
What skillia.AI Brings
- Working product — live in Microsoft Marketplace today
- AI SOP generation from video — proven technology
- VisionClaw integration path — open-source Meta glasses → AI bridge
- $200K non-dilutive funding — zero cost to TACA
- Technical team & implementation plan — ready to execute
1.9 million unfilled jobs.
Millions of capable workers.
One training gap.
skillia.AI + TACA + Meta
= the bridge.