Perkins Library
Massachusetts Directory of Agencies
This directory was produced by the Perkins Library to assist consumers and professionals in locating services for persons who are blind or visually impaired in Massachusetts.
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.