Agencies and Organizations
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. Learn more about the Massachusetts Directory of Agencies.
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Access CenterBoston Public Library
Copley Square
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02114Phone: (617) 536-5400 x2295
Email: lharris@bpl.org
Web: www.bpl.orgThe center offers special materials, formats, equipment and personnel to serve library patrons with disabilities.
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Braille & Talking Book Library(See Perkins Library)
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Carroll Center for the Blind770 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458Phone: (617) 969-6200 or (800) 852-3131
Fax: (617) 969-6204
Email: info@carroll.org
Web: www.carroll.org or www.carrolltech.orgThe 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.
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Deaf Blind Contact Center215 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134Phone: (617) 254-4041
TTY: (617) 254-4925
Relay: 711
Fax: (617) 254-7091
Email: DBCCOffice@gmail.com
Web: www.deafinconline.orgThe 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.
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Descriptive Video Service (DVS)A Division of The Media Access Group at WGBH
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: (617) 300-3600
Fax: (617) 300-1020
Email: access@wgbh.org
Web: access.wgbh.orgFor more than 40 years, the Media Access Group at WGBH has been providing accessible media services to the millions of Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. We invented captioning and video descriptions for television, and today we apply those services to movies, the web, museums, educational institutions, theme parks, and other venues.
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Helen Keller Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC) - New England Regional Office175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472Phone: 617-923-1600
Fax: 617-923-1601
Email: steve.perreault@hknc.prg
Web: www.hknc.orgHKNC provides evaluation, counseling, training, placement and related services for youth and adults who are deafblind.
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Learning Ally (Formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic)2067 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140Phone: (617) 500-2706
Email: custserv@learningally.org
Web: www.learningally.orgLearning Ally provides a lending library of educational books on CD and recording services for people with print disabilities.
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Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB)169 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01852Phone: (978) 454-5704
Fax: (978) 458-5563
Email: labinfo@lowellassociationfortheblind.org
Web: www.lowellassociationfortheblind.orgThe 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.
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MAB Community Services(See Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired)
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Massachusetts Accessible Instructional Materials Library (formerly Vision Resource Library)Baylies Cottage, Massachusetts Hospital School
3 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021Phone: (781) 562-0461
Fax: (781) 562-0463
Email: cbrasier@aimlibrary.org
Web: www.aimlibrary.orgStatewide library which loans large print, braille and tangible teaching aids to legally blind students, ages 0-22, who are registered with the library.
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Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) - A Division of MAB Community ServicesMain Office:
200 Ivy Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: (617) 738-5110
Web: www.mabcommunity.orgLow Vision Services
799 Boylston Street
Worcester, MA 01606
Phone: (508) 854-0700 or (888) 613-2777
Fax: (508) 854-0733MABVI 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.
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Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)Web: www.mass.gov/mcb
Telephone Information Tape
Phone: (617) 626-7660 or (800) 392-6450 (MA only)
TTY: (800) 392-6556Field Offices:
Region 1
436 Dwight Street, Room 109
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 781-1290 or
(800) 332-2772 (MA only)
Fax: (413) 746-8570Region 2
390 Main Street, Suite 620
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 754-1148 or
(800) 263-6944 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 752-7832Region 5
888 Purchase Street, Suite 203
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 993-6140 or
(800) 989-4411 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 993-0320Regions 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) 626-7685MCB 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.
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Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - MCB/DDS Partnership Project for Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision ServicesPO Box 144
Wrentham, MA 02093Phone: (508) 384-5539
Fax: (508) 384-6771
Web: www.mass.gov/dds/visionlossProvides orientation and mobility and low vision services to adults with intellectual disabilities and vision loss, including vision impairment, legal blindness, and deaf blindness. Services, training and resources are available to adults in the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Service’s (DDS) Southeast Region. Referrals are made by DDS Service Coordinators or MCB Case Managers.
For orientation and mobility and low vision services statewide for adults with intellectual disabilities who are served by DDS, including registration for the American Printing House for the Blind Federal Quota Account, please contact: Lisa.DiBonaventura@state.ma.us
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148Phone: (781) 338-3000
Fax: (781) 338-3371
Web: www.doe.mass.eduDESE specialists provide information on the educational rights and opportunities provided for all students in Massachusetts. DESE’s Problem Resolution System ensures that students receive services to which they are entitled.
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Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111Phone: (800) 245-6543
Independent Living Number: (617) 204-3851
Fax: (617) 727-1354
Web: www.state.ma.us/mrcProvides information about Independent Living Centers serving individuals with disabilities including those who are visually impaired.