Massachusetts Directory of Agencies

Boston Public Library
Copley Square
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02114

Phone: (617) 536-5400 x2295
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.bpl.org

The center offers special materials, formats, equipment and personnel to serve library patrons with disabilities.

(See Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired)

Web: www.mass.gov/mcb
Telephone Information Tape
Phone: (617) 626-7660 or (800) 392-6450 (MA only)
TTY: (800) 392-6556

Field Offices:

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

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

Region 5
888 Purchase Street, Suite 203
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 993-6140 or
(800) 989-4411 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 993-0320

Regions 3, 4, and 6
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 727-5550 or
(800) 392-6450 (MA only)
TTY: (800) 392-6556
Fax: (617) 626-7685

MCB 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 deafblind individuals.

Main Office:
200 Ivy Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: (617) 738-5110
Web:  www.mabcommunity.org

Low Vision Services
799 Boylston Street
Worcester, MA 01606
Phone: (508) 854-0700 or (888) 613-2777
Fax: (508) 854-0733

MABVI provides assistance to people coping with sight loss whether they are declared legally blind or not. Comprehensive low vision exams are provided by affiliated low vision optometrists in Springfield, Holyoke, Worcester, Whitinsville, Wellesley, Wayland, Hyannis and Salem. Vision rehabilitation is provided by licensed occupational therapists in consumers’ homes or at the low vision center in Worcester. MABVI operates 34 peer led support groups for visually impaired people throughout Massachusetts. Task-oriented volunteer services in Eastern and Central Massachusetts include reading mail and shopping. In Central Massachusetts, medical transportation can be provided. MABVI also provides case management for visually impaired elders living in the City of Boston.
MAB Community Services offers a variety of additional programs and services to several populations. The Ivy Street School is a residential and day educational program for adolescents with brain injuries and other neurological difficulties. Adult Disability Services provides day and residential services for disabled adults in community settings throughout Greater Boston.

Baylies Cottage, Massachusetts Hospital School
3 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021

Phone: (781) 562-0461
Fax: (781) 562-0463
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aimlibrary.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.

169 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01852

Phone: (978) 454-5704
Fax: (978) 458-5563
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.lowellassociationfortheblind.org

The LAB Adult Program provides social, educational and recreational activities, adaptive computer training, information and referral, and braille instruction. Youth Programs are available for ages 5 and up, as well as the VIP (Visually Impaired Partners) mentoring Program. The LAB/TIC Radio Reading affiliate offers programming five days a week.

2067 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140

Phone: (617) 500-2706
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.learningally.org

Learning Ally provides a lending library of educational books on CD and recording services for people with print disabilities.

175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Phone: 617-923-1600
Fax: 617-923-1601
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.hknc.org

HKNC provides evaluation, counseling, training, placement and related services for youth and adults who are deafblind.

215 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134

Phone: (617) 254-4041
TTY: (617) 254-4925
Relay: 711
Fax: (617) 254-7091
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.deafinconline.org

The center provides social/recreational activities and SSP (support service provider) volunteer services during events for people who are deafblind. Training and education about deafblindness is also provided.

770 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458

Phone: (617) 969-6200 or (800) 852-3131
Fax: (617) 969-6204
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.carroll.org or www.carrolltech.org

The Carroll Center for the Blind offers a wide variety of services to people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.  Services are available both at the Carroll Center and in the community.  Services provided include:
The Rehabilitation Program provides support and intensive training in daily living, travel and communication skills for adults with recent vision loss so they can live independently.  Vocational transition and readiness programs are available for young adults.  Mini courses for elders are also available.
The Computer Training Services Program instructs blind and low vision persons to independently use the best speech, large print and/or braille access software and hardware as well as the use of iOS devices and other technologies. Instruction is also available for professionals.  Training takes place at the Carroll Center’s Technology Center, at the home, office or classroom of the client, or online through the Carroll Tech Distance Learning program.
The Community Mobility Department teaches safe travel skills to individuals of all ages at home, work or school. They also provide in-home diabetes management and rehabilitation teaching.
The Educational Services Program provides school consultation services, student evaluation and professional development courses, and itinerant teachers of the visually impaired who deliver direct instruction.
Job Placement Services offers resources, support and guidance for those seeking employment, or who need worksite adaptations or consultation in order to remain on the job.
Summer Programs are offered to youth ages 8-22 from June-August       including: the Youth-In-Transition Program, focus on social development and independent living readiness; the Real World of Work Program emphasizes work experience in the community; Transition to College provides college-bound youth with advanced skill training in computers and daily living; and Carroll Kids /Teens provides academic enrichment opportunities for school-age children.
Outdoor Recreational Programs include sailing, hiking, canoeing, skiing, and tandem biking.   Adaptive techniques are taught with the help of trained volunteers, and participants can enjoy local and overnight trips throughout New England.
The Carroll Store sells a wide range of adaptive devices and products such as white canes, magnifiers, talking and braille watches, kitchen items, clocks, labeling supplies and much more.
Accessibility Services Team provides website evaluation in three areas: evaluate and test websites and web-based applications to determine how accessible they are to users of assistive technology, work with educational institutions to train them on how to effectively deliver online sources, and test and recommend improvements for the accessibility of devices and products for companies.

(See Perkins Library)

Worcester Public Library
3 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 799-1730 or (800) 762-0085 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 799-1676
TTY: (508) 799-1724
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://talkingbook.mywpl.org/

Provides digital books, playback equipment, large type books, descriptive DVDs, and print/braille materials to Massachusetts individuals who are unable to read regular print due to a visual, physical, or reading disability. The Worcester Talking Book Library also provides hands-on assistance with the National Library Service (NLS) Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) program; and offers on-site use of adaptive equipment, outreach services and a periodic newsletter.