Resource Directory of Massachusetts Agencies

This directory of resources was produced by the Interagency Committee on Vision and Aging (ICVA) in partnership with the Bay State Council of the Blind (BSCB) to assist consumers and professionals in locating services available for persons who are blind or visually impaired. REVISED 2005.

Definition of Legal Blindness in Massachusetts

Legal blindness is defined as central vision (or acuity) of not more than 20/200 in the better eye with correction (glasses), or as having peripheral fields (side vision) of no more than 20 degrees diameter or 10 degrees radius.

Corrections/Changes/Additions

To make corrections, changes or additions to this Resource Directory please notify:
Judi Cannon
Bay State Council of the Blind
20 Riverside Street, #2-8
Watertown, MA 02472
E-mail: cannonja22@comcast.net

Agencies and Organizations

ACCESS CENTER
Boston Public Library
Copley Square
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 536-5400 ext. 2295
(617) 536-7055 (TTY)
Fax: (617) 266-8948
Website: http://www.bpl.org/

The center offers special materials, formats, equipment and personnel to serve library patrons who are disabled.

BRAILLE & TALKING BOOK LIBRARY
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7240
(800) 852-3133 (New England only)
Fax: (617) 972-7363
E-mail: library@perkins.org
Website: http://www.perkins.org/

Distributes playback equipment and cassette books; described videos; and braille materials to individuals unable to read regular print due to a visual, physical or neurological disability. Also serves institutions providing services to individuals with disabilities.

TALKING BOOK LIBRARY
Worcester Public Library
3 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608-2074
(508) 799-1730
(800) 762-0085 (MA only)
(508) 799-1724 (TTY)
Fax: (508) 799-1676
E-mail: talkbook@cwmars.org
Website: http://www.worcpublib.org/talkingbook

Provides cassette books, large type books,descriptive videos and print/braille materials to individuals unable to read regular print due to a visual physical or neurological disability. The Sub-Regional Library has adaptive equipment, outreach services and a periodic newsletter.

CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND
770 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458
(617) 969-6200
(800) 852-3131
Fax: (617) 969-6204
E-mail: dinarosen@carroll.org
Website: http://www.carroll.org/

The Residential Rehabilitation Program is designed primarily for newly blinded adults. In this program, a multiplicity of skills are addressed, toward a goal of independent living.
The Computer Training Program is geared to blind individuals who have jobs and need to upgrade their skills to retain their jobs, or who are entering the workforce and need to learn specific software for a job.
The Community Mobility Program instructors teach safe travel skills to all ages at home, work or school throughout Massachusetts.
The Educational Services Program is a network of itinerant teachers providing direct instruction, school consultation, student evaluation and professional development courses.
Job Placement Services offer resources, support and guidance for persons who are visually impaired and are seeking employment or are in need of technical adaptations or consultation in order to remain employed.
Summer Programs are offered to youth ages 14-22 during June through August including: the Youth-In-Transition program, emphasizing social development and independent living readiness, the Real World of Work Experience program emphasizes work experience in the community, the Online to College program assists college bound youth to improve their computer skills and prepare for daily college life.
Outdoor Recreational Programs include: sailing, hiking, canoeing, skiing, and tandem biking. Adaptive techniques are taught through the help of trained volunteers to enjoy local and overnight trips throughout New England.
International Teaching Training Program provides training to working professionals in the field of blindness. This 8-week program provides supervision in field teaching and instruction in a new area.

CENTER FOR APPLIED SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY (CAST)
40 Harvard Mills Square
Suite 3
Wakefield, MA 01880-3233
(781) 245-2212
Fax: (781) 245-5212
Website: http://www.cast.org/

Research and development organization that works to expand opportunities for all people, especially those with disabilities, through innovative uses of technology.

DEAF-BLIND CONTACT CENTER
215 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-4925 (Voice/TTY and Fax)
Relay: 711
E-mail: dbcc_ma@yahoo.com

Provides social/recreational activities and SSR volunteer services for Deafblind during our events. Training and education about deaf-blindness.

DESCRIPTIVE VIDEO SERVICE/DVS
Media Access Group at WGBH
125 Western Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
(617) 300-3490
(800) 333-1203
(617) 300-4500 (Mass. Local Listener Line)
Fax: (617) 300-1035
Website: http://access.wgbh.org/

WGBH’s Descriptive Video Service provides video description for all types of media, from public and commercial television programs to home videos and DVDs to first-run and IMAX films for theatres. DVS also works with local and national organizations and individuals to increase the availability of description through marketing efforts within the media industry and advocacy efforts within the disability community.

GREATER BOSTON AID TO THE BLIND
1980 Centre Street
Boston, MA 02132
(617) 323-5111
Fax: (617) 323-6687

GBAB is devoted to the personal support and rehabilitation of adults age 50 and over who are visually impaired. Clients from all over eastern and central Massachusetts are served through center-based, community or in-home programs. Services funded through Medicaid, Medicare, Home Care, Veterans Administration, and sliding fee scale. The goal of all programs is to help clients remain independent, safe and comfortable in their own homes and communities.
Center-based program includes Nursing, Social Work Services, Counseling and Vision Rehab staff who monitor health and community services for each client. Clients and the local community have access to the center’s low vision clinic. Activities include vision rehabilitation, crafts, knitting/sewing, music, woodworking and recreation.
Community based programs are short-term, comprehensive, group programs which focus on vision rehabilitation, health education, information/resources and counseling.
Eye on Independence provides one to one personalized vision rehabilitation training in the client’s home. All aspects of daily living are covered including adaptive cooking techniques, medication organization, aids for reading/writing, money management and more. Clients also have the opportunity to examine a variety of adaptive equipment.

HELEN KELLER CENTER FOR DEAF-BLIND YOUTH AND ADULTS
N.E. Regional Office
152 Lincoln Road
P.O. Box 266
Lincoln, MA 01773
(781) 259-7100 (Voice/TTY)
Fax: (781) 259-4014
E-mail: HKNC1mab@aol.com

Provides evaluation, counseling, rehabilitation training, placement and related services.

LOWELL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
174 Central Street
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 454-5704
Fax: (978) 458-5563
E-mail: labinfo@lowellassociationfortheblind.org
Website: www.lowellassociationfortheblind.org

Provides social and recreation programs, sports, braille lessons, craft classes, Drop-In Center, information and referral and volunteer services throughout Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley. The Center provides adaptive equipment assessments and training, education, computer and braille training, Youth Social and Senior Youth Programs. LAB/TIC Radio Reading affiliate, reading five days a week. Is also an authorized agent for the Massachusetts Telephone Access Program.

MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES
200 Ivy Street
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 738-5110
(800) 682-9200 (MA only)
(617) 731-6444 (TTY)
Fax: (617) 738-1247
Website: http://www.mabcommunity.org

MR Community Services serves adults with mental retardation through residential and work support programs. Brain Injury Community Services serves adolescents with acquired brain injuries at the Ivy Street School and Cottage Farm program.

VISION COMMUNITY SERVICES
23A Elm Street
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 926-4232
Fax: (617) 926-1412
MAB Connections: (617) 923-2790
Website: www.mabcommunity.org

Services include: self-help support groups for people coping with sight loss; in-home rehab services for non-legally blind elders; information and referral; volunteer readers, shoppers, and visitors; braille and cassette transcription program; large print/cassette publications; and outreach.
The Vision Habilitation Service Department provides Orientation and Mobility and Low Vision Services for adults with mental retardation and vision loss. Services are available to individuals in the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Metro region. Referrals are made by individuals’ DMR service coordinators.

Additional Offices:

927 Temple Street
Unit 12
Whitman, MA 02382
Elder Rehab: (781) 857-2192
Community Volunteers/Outreach: (781) 857-2193
Fax: (781) 857-2194
MAB Connections: (508) 580-1033

146 Chestnut Street
Suite 401
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 734-7343
Fax: (413) 747-7224
MAB Connections: (413) 351-2790

799 West Boylston Street
Worcester, MA 01606
(508) 854-0700
(888) 613-2777
Fax: (508) 854-0733
MAB Connections: (508) 556-2790

MASSACHUSETTS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP (MATP)
Children's Hospital
1295 Boylston Street
Suite 310
Boston, MA 02215
Information and Referral: (800) 848-8867 (Voice/TTY - MA only)
(617) 355-7820
Fax: (617) 355-6345
E-mail: matp@matp.org
Website: www.matp.org

MATP Center provides information and referral on assistive technology products and services. MATP also provides information on funding sources to assist with the purchase of devices.

MASSACHUSETTS BRAILLE LITERACY ADVISORY COUNCIL
C/O Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7249
Fax: (617) 972-7363

The BLAC is a 9-member advisory council, appointed by the Board of Education, which provides advice and guidance to the Massachusetts Department of Education on various aspects of implementation of the Braille Literacy Act of 1996. Areas covered include: braille instruction, literacy assessment for students with visual impairments, teacher certification and recertification, MCAS testing, and availability of instructional materials and braille production activities.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
Regions 3, 4, and 6
48 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116-4718
(617) 727-5550
(800) 392-6450 (MA only)
(800) 392-6556 (TTY)
Fax: (617) 626-7685
Website: www.mass.gov/mcb

Region 5
800 Purchase Street
Suite 290
New Bedford, MA 02742
(508) 993-6140
(800) 989-4411 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 992-4147

Region 1
436 Dwight Street, Room 109
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 781-1290
(800) 332-2772 (MA only)
Fax: (413) 746-8570

Region 2
390 Main Street
Suite 620
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 754-1148
(800) 263-6944 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 752-7832

The Commission is the state agency mandated to provide services to legally blind persons of all ages. Services include: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, Independent Living, Social Services for Elders, Low Vision Services, Orientation and Mobility training, Rehabilitation Teaching, advocacy, services for children & families and services to Deaf-Blind individuals.
The Commission also operates Ferguson Industries for the Blind which employs blind and multi-disabled blind individuals. Departments include linens, brooms, mops, writing instruments and braille.

Ferguson Industries for the Blind
11 Highland Avenue
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 324-1800
Fax: (781) 324-3111

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023
(781) 338-3000
Website: www.doe.mass.edu

Department of Education specialists provide information on the educational opportunities and rights provided for all students in Massachusetts, have a Problem Resolution System and work to ensure that students receive entitled services. Through a current contract with the Carroll Center for the Blind, the Department provides educational materials and equipment to visually impaired students via the Vision Resource Library.

MASSACHUSETTS EYE & EAR INFIRMARY
Vision Rehabilitation Center
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-4177
Fax: (617) 573-4178
Website: www.meei.harvard.edu

Satellite: Methuen: 1^st Wednesday of every month.

Complete vision evaluation by low vision specialty team: optometrist, occupational therapist and social worker. Services include evaluation for optical aids and devices and training for their use. Additional evaluation for daily living skills, home safety, lighting, reading machines and computer software adaptations. Services also include psycho-social counseling, community outreach and referrals, consultation to schools and places of employment; sale of optical non-optical devices and CCTV’s. Vision care services available for deaf and hard of hearing. On-site library and information service available to partially sighted patients and their families, and to the community.

MASSACHUSETTS REHABILITATION COMMISSION
27-43 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210
Main number: (617) 204-3600
(800) 245-6543
Independent Living number: (617) 204-3851
Fax: (617) 727-1354
Website: www.state.ma.us/mrc/

Provides information about Independent Living Centers serving individuals with disabilities including those who are visually impaired or blind.

NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6160
(888) 965-8965
Fax: (617) 437-0456
E-mail: orders@nbp.org
Website: www.nbp.org

Low-cost braille books and magazines covering every subject: computers, cooking, philosophy, children's print & braille books, women's issues, news and commentary, grammar and writing.
Free print or braille catalog upon request.

NORTHEAST VISION CONSULTANTS, INC.
Tim and Katrena Traut-Savino and Barbara Gillmeister
P.O. Box 486
Sharon, MA 02067
Phone and Fax number: (781) 784-0642

Provides contractual Vision Education, Orientation and Mobility services to children and adults in eastern Massachusetts. All teachers are Massachusetts certified.

PREVENT BLINDNESS MASSACHUSETTS
100 Cummings Center #330C
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 524-9500
Fax: (978) 922-2300
E-mail: preventblind@aol.com
Website: http://www.pbmass.org/

Eye health and safety education, screening, information and referral, and research to prevent blindness.

PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 924-3434
Fax: (617) 926-2027
Website: www.perkins.org

On-campus programs: Infant and Preschool Services, Elementary and Secondary Services Programs, Deafblind Program, Community Living Services. Training Programs for professionals, Clinical Services, Diagnostic Evaluation Services, Low Vision Clinic, Howe Press, Braille and Talking Book Library and the Outreach Elder Learning Center.
Community based programs: Outreach services to infants, preschoolers, public school students, parents, itinerant teachers, elders and families.

Perkins Outreach Services
(617) 972-7432
Fax: (617) 972-7586
E-mail: outreach@perkins.org

Outreach weekend activities and summer programs offer students a chance to share each other’s company, ideas, seminars, trips and specific skill instruction. Services to professionals and parents including a one-week summer institute with college credit, short-term conferences and workshops are also offered.

Perkins Outreach Services to Elders
(617) 972-7432
Fax: (617) 972-7586

Rehabilitation specialists provide direct teaching and consultation to individuals and families in the community. And, at the Elder Learning Center, elders with vision loss come together for training and recreational activities on the Perkins campus.

Perkins Outreach Satellite Program
Cape and Islands/Western Mass.
800 Falmouth Road
Unit 202A
Mashpee, MA 02649
(508) 477-6733
Fax: (508) 477-6031

Outreach Satellite Programs located in Western MA and on Cape Cod, offer a range of vision services to parents, teachers, and contract services to school districts.

Perkins Training Center
(617) 972-7213

In-service training program development, financial support, and planning assistance are offered to internal groups and external organizations. Our goal is to increase access to training, throughout New England, for educational professionals who work with children who are visually impaired.

New England Center for Deafblind Services Project
(617) 972-7515
Fax: (617) 972-7354

Technical assistance, consultation and training for professionals and families of infants, children and youth who are deafblind in CT, ME, MA and NH.

Howe Press
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7308
E-mail: howepress@perkins.org

Manufactures and sells the Perkins Brailler and other products for people who are blind or visually impaired.

RECORDING FOR THE BLIND AND DYSLEXIC
58 Charles Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 577-1111
Fax: (617) 577-1113
E-mail: boston@rfbd.org
Website: www.rfbd.org/bostoncontact.htm

Lenox Studio
55 Pittsfield-Lenox Road
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-0889
Fax: (413) 637-3516
E-mail: cosorio@rfbd.org

Williamstown Studio
173 Water Street
Williamstown, MA 01267
(413) 458-3641
Fax: (413) 458-3641
E-mail: jowens@rfbd.org

Lending library of educational books on tape and recording services for persons with a print disability.

RESOURCES FOR REHABILITATION
22 Bonad Road
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 368-9094
Fax: (781) 368-9096
Website: http://www.rfr.org

Provides training and information to professionals who serve individuals with disabilities. Publishes the Living with Low Vision publications for consumers and professionals.

SIGHT LOSS SERVICES, INC.
Cape Cod and Islands
87 School Street
P.O. Box 414
West Dennis, MA 02670
(508) 394-3904
(800) 427-6842 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 398-0792
E-mail: sightloss@capecod.net
Website: www.sightloss.org

Provides peer support, information and referral, and home independence training to individuals on Cape Cod & the Islands who are learning to cope and function safely and independently with the loss of sight.

TALKING INFORMATION CENTER (TIC)
P.O. Box 519
130 Enterprise Drive
Marshfield, MA 02050
(781) 834-4400
(800) 696-9505
Fax: (781) 834-7716
Website: www.ticnetwork.com

TIC is the radio reading service for persons with a print disability in Massachusetts. The following are affiliates that provide current print information to residents with a print disability in their areas.

Audible Local Ledger
681 Falmouth Road, C-15
Deer Crossing Mall
Mashpee, MA 02649
(508) 539-2030
(877) 255-2260
Fax: (508) 539-2080
E-mail: allradio@verizon.net
Website: www.audiblelocalledger.org

Audio-Journal
799 West Boylston Street
Worcester, MA 01606
(508) 797-1117
Fax: (508) 757-4074
E-mail: info@audiojournal.net
www.audiojournal.net

Berkshire Talking Chronicle
8 Depot Street
Dalton, MA 01226
(413) 684-0880
E-mail: btc@berkshire.net
Website: www.talkingchronicle.org

LAB/TIC
Lowell Association for the Blind
174 Central Street
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 454-5704
Website: www.lowellassociationfortheblind.org

Metro-West Radio Reading Service
510-C College Center
Framingham State College
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 626-4627

Radio Reading Service/Goodwill
285 Dorset Street
Springfield, MA 01108
(413) 747-7337
Fax: (413) 736-7282

VISION RESOURCE LIBRARY
Baylies Cottage
Mass Hospital School
3 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021
(781) 575-1843
Fax: (781) 575-9601
(800) 827-7772
Website: www.mavisionlib.org

Statewide library which loans large print, braille and tangible teaching aids to legally blind students, ages 0-22, who are registered with the library.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SERVICES TEAM at the Boston V.A. (VIST)
251 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 248-1360
Fax: (617) 248-1282

The Visual Impairment Services Team provides services to veterans who are legally blind whether or not they are service-connected for their blindness. Benefits review and psychosocial assessments are completed on all veterans and appropriate referrals to community and V.A. agencies are made.
Ongoing intervention such as low vision exams and blind rehabilitation is provided to VIST-eligible veterans both at the Boston V.A. Outpatient Clinic and in-home.

ICVA Membership

Agency membership of ICVA includes:

Carroll Center for the Blind
Greater Boston Aid to the Blind
MAB Community Services
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Perkins School for the Blind