Agencies and Organizations

Access Center
Boston Public Library, Copley Square
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 536-5400 x2295
TTY: (617) 536-7055
Email: lharris@bpl.org
Web: www.bpl.org

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

Braille & Talking Book Library
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 972-7240 or (800) 852-3133 (New England only)
Fax: (617) 972-7363
TTY: (617) 972-7690
Email: library@perkins.org
Web: www.perkinslibrary.org

The library provides talking books and playback equipment, audio described movies, large print, braille materials and downloadable audio books to individuals unable to read regular print due to a visual, physical or reading disability. Institutions providing services to individuals with disabilities are also eligible for the program.
Other services include reference, reader advisory services, the Newsline program (telephone-based access to daily newspapers), foreign language materials, children and young adult programming and services, and presentations to community groups. Offers several newsletters including Dots & Decibels, PerKIDS and El Narrador (in Spanish), operates a brailler repair program, a CCTV loan program and has in-house adaptive computer equipment available for borrowers use. Fee-for-service braille production and digital audio recording services are also available.

Carroll Center for the Blind
770 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458
Phone: (617) 969-6200 or (800) 852-3131
Fax: (617) 969-6204
Email: info@carroll.org
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 Residential Rehabilitation Program provides intensive training in daily living, travel and communication skills for adults whose vision loss is affecting their independence. Special programs are available for elders. 
  • The Computer Training Services Program offers instruction in the use of speech, large print and braille access software and hardware to individuals of all ages who are blind or have low vision, or professionals in the field of blindness. 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 Program provides instruction in safe travel skills to individuals of all ages at home, work or school.
  • 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 clients 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, focusing on social development and independent living readiness; the Real World of Work Program emphasizing work experience in the community; the Computing for College program helps college-bound youth in improving their computer skills and preparing for college life; and Carroll Kids / Teens provides 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 Center Store sells a wide range of adaptive devices and products such as white canes, talking and braille watches, timers, clocks, labeling supplies and much more.

Deafblind Contact Center
215 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134
Phone: (617) 254-4925 (TTY/VCO)
Relay: 711
Email: DBCC_MA@yahoo.com

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.

Descriptive Video Service (DVS)
WGBH Educational Foundation
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: (617) 300-3490 or (800) 333-1203 (DVS info line)
Fax: (617) 300-1035
Email: access@wgbh.org
Web: access.wgbh.org

WGBH's Descriptive Video Service, part of the Media Access Group at WGBH, provides video description for all types of media, from public and commercial television programs to DVDs to first-run and IMAX films. DVS also works with organizations and individuals to increase the availability of description through marketing efforts within the media industry and advocacy within the disability community.

Digilife Media
1 Bryant Avenue
Bradford, MA 01835
Phone: (978) 914-4601
Email:  info@digilifemedia.biz
Web:  www.digilifemedia.biz

Digilife Media creates accessible digital alternative formats of print based hard-copy and inaccessible digital materials for educational institutions, government agencies, and corporations. In essence, anyone who needs hard copy text, or even electronic files, adapted to a more suitable format for use by individuals with print related disabilities.

Helen Keller Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC)
New England Regional Office
152 Lincoln Road, PO Box 266
Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: (781) 259-7100 (Voice/TTY)
Fax: (781) 259-4014
Email: HKNC1mab@aol.com

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

Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB)
169 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 454-5704
Fax: (978) 458-5563
Email: labinfo@lowellassociationfortheblind.org
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 BEST Program (Blind Exploration of Science and Technology), and the STEP (Senior Teen Employment Program) offers teens an opportunity to explore a variety of careers with paid internships. The LAB/TIC Radio Reading affiliate offers programming five days a week. LAB is also an authorized agent for the Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program.

MAB Community Services (Formerly Massachusetts Association for the Blind)
Administrative Headquarters
200 Ivy Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: (617) 738-5110
Email: benglish@mabcommunity.org
Web: www.mabcommunity.org

Greater Boston
313 Pleasant Street, 2nd Floor
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 926-4232
Fax: (617) 926-1412

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

Western Massachusetts
For in-home rehabilitation services and low vision exams, contact the Central Massachusetts Office at (888) 613-2777.

MAB Community Services offers a variety of programs and services to several populations.

  • The Developmental Disabilities Program provides residential and vocational services to adults with developmental disabilities.
  • The Orientation and Mobility Program provides travel training to adults with vision loss and developmental disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts. Referrals are made through the Department of Mental Retardation.
  • Brain Injury Services for adolescents and adults through residential programs provide special education and rehabilitation services to people with acquired brain injuries.
  • Vision Community Services provides assistance to people coping with sight loss. Services include self-help support groups coordinated by visually impaired peer leaders; and training in elders' homes. Information and referral, volunteer readers and shoppers, and education and outreach are also provided.

MABWorks/MABHab
29 Denby Road
Allston, MA 02134
Phone:  (617) 830-5425
Fax:  (617) 254-0208
Email:  acarey@mabcommunity.org

MABWorks is an employment training program for adults with a variety of disabilities.

 

Massachusetts Braille Literacy Advisory Council (BLAC)
C/O Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 972-7249
Fax: (617) 972-7363

The BLAC is a 9-member advisory council, appointed by the Board of Education, which provides policy advice and guidance to the Massachusetts Department of Education on various aspects of implementation of the Massachusetts Braille Literacy Act. 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 (MCB)
Web: www.mass.gov/mcb

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
    800 Purchase Street, Suite 290
    New Bedford, MA 02742
    Phone: (508) 993-6140 or (800) 989-4411 (MA only)
    Fax: (508) 992-4147
  • Regions 3, 4, and 6
    48 Boylston Street
    Boston, MA 02116
    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.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 
75 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: (781) 338-3000
Fax: (781) 338-3371
Web: www.doe.mass.edu

DOE specialists provide information on the educational rights and opportunities provided for all students in Massachusetts. DOE's Problem Resolution System ensures that students receive services to which they are entitled.

Department of Developmental Services (formerly Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation)
MCB/DMR Partnership Project for Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services

PO Box 144
Wrentham, MA 02093
Phone: (508) 384-5539
Fax: (508) 384-5612
Web: www.mass.gov/dmr/visionloss

Services, training and resources are available to adults in the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation's Southeast Region. Provides Orientation and Mobility and Low Vision Services to adults with cognitive disabilities and vision loss including vision impairment, legal blindness, and deafblindness. Referrals are made by DMR Service Coordinators or MCB Case Managers.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
27-43 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 204-3600 or (800) 245-6543
Independent Living Number: (617) 204-3851
Fax: (617) 727-1354
Web: www.state.ma.us/mrc

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

National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: (617) 266-6160 or (888) 965-8965
Fax: (617) 437-0456
Email: orders@nbp.org
Web: www.nbp.org

Produces low-cost braille books and magazines covering subjects such as 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.
PO Box 486
Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: (781) 784-0642
Fax: (781) 784-0642

Provides contractual vision education, orientation and mobility services to children and adults in Eastern Massachusetts. All teachers are Massachusetts certified.

Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 924-3434
Fax: (617) 926-2027
Email: info@perkins.org
Web: www.perkins.org

Perkins offers a wide range of programs and services:

  • Perkins Outreach Services
    Phone: (617) 972-7432
    Fax: (617) 972-7586
    Email: outreach@perkins.org
    Outreach weekend, vacation, 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, and short-term conferences and workshops are also offered.

  • Strategies for Life: Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older
    Phone: (617) 972-7643
    Fax: (617) 972-7586
    Email: outreach@perkins.org
    Rehabilitation specialists provide evaluation, direct teaching and consultation to individuals and families in the community. At the Elder Learning Center (ELC), older adults with vision loss come together for training via adult education classes on the Perkins campus. Workshops are provided to community organizations.

  • Perkins Training Center
    Phone: (617) 972-7712
    Email: perkinstrainingcenter@perkins.org
    In-service training program development, financial support, and planning assistance are offered to internal groups and external organizations. The goal is to increase access to training, throughout New England, for educational professionals who work with children who are blind, visually impaired or who have multiple disabilities.

  • The New England Deafblind Consortium
    Phone: (617) 972-7515
    Fax: (617) 972-7354
    Email: nec@perkins.org
    Technical assistance, consultation and training for professionals and families of infants, children and youth who are deafblind in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

  • Perkins Products/Howe Press
    Phone: (617) 972-7308
    Email: perkinsproducts@perkins.org or howepress@perkins.org 
    Web: www.perkinsproducts.org (online shopping available)
    Perkins Products / Howe Press manufactures and sells the Perkins Brailler, the most widely sold braille writer in the world, as well as many other products for people who are blind or visually impaired.

  • Adaptive Technology: A Division of Perkins Products
    Phone: (978) 462-3817
    Fax: (617) 926-2027
    Web: www.perkinsproducts.org
    Carries a range of products that cover all blindness, low vision and learning disability needs involving information access, data storage and manipulation. Adaptive Technology provides training, technical support and system installation; operates a retail center selling products to assist visually impaired individuals in their everyday lives. Call for directions or to schedule an appointment at the demonstration center.

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
2067 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140
Phone: (617) 577-1111
Fax: (617) 577-1113
Email: volboston@rfbd.org
Web: www.rfbd.org/boston_unit

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

  • Lenox Studio
    55 Pittsfield-Lenox Road
    Lenox, MA 01240
    (413) 637-0889
    Fax: (413) 637-3516
    Email: jbeaudin@rfbd.org

Sight Loss Services, Inc. Cape Cod and the Islands
81 School Street, PO Box 414
West Dennis, MA 02670
Phone: (508) 394-3904 or (800) 427-6842 (MA only)
Fax: (508) 398-0792
Email: sightloss@verizon.net
Web: www.sightloss.org

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

Talking Information Center (TIC)
PO Box 519, 130 Enterprise Drive
Marshfield, MA 02050
Phone: (781) 834-4400 or (800) 696-9505
Fax: (781) 834-7716
Email: general@ticnetwork.com
Web: www.ticnetwork.com

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

Talking Book 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: talkbook@cwmars.org
Web: www.worcpublib.org/talkingbook

Provides cassette and large type books, descriptive videos and print/braille materials to individuals in Central Massachusetts unable to read regular print due to a visual, physical or reading disability. The Library offers in-house adaptive equipment, outreach services and a periodic newsletter Talking Booklet.

Vision Coalition Massachusetts (formerly Prevent Blindness Massachusetts)
100 Cummings Center #330C
Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: (978) 524-9500
Fax: (978) 922-2300
Email: alan@thevisioncoalition.org
Web: www.thevisioncoalition.org

The Vision Coalition Massachusetts promotes eye health and safety education, screening, information and referral, and research to prevent blindness.

Visions of Independence
34 Crest Road Way
Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: (781) 784-3320
Fax: (781) 784-3520
Email: visions.of.independence@verizon.net
Web: www.visionsofindependence.com

Occupational therapists provide training in daily living skills to low vision patients. In addition, patients are informed about available resources and programs. In home services are provided and covered by Medicare and other insurance providers.

Veterans Administration: Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) 

The VIST Coordinator/case manager has major responsibility for the coordination of all services for blind or visually impaired veterans and their families. Both service connected and non service connected veterans are eligible for VIST services. Your VIST coordinator can be contacted through the following facilities:

  • Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
    200 Springs Road
    Bedford, MA 01730
    Phone: (781) 687-2344
  • VA Boston Healthcare System
    150 South Huntington Avenue
    Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
    Phone: (617) 232-9500 x 2847
  • VA Boston Healthcare System
    Brockton Campus
    940 Belmont Street
    Brockton, MA 02301
    Phone: (508) 583-4500 x 63451
  • Providence VA Medical Center (Cape Cod and the Islands)
    830 Chalkstone Avenue
    Providence, RI 02908-4799
    Phone: (401) 273-7100 x1522
  • North Hampton VA Medical Center
    421 North Main Street
    Leeds, MA 01053
    Phone: (413) 483-4040 x 2058
  • VA Boston Healthcare System
    West Roxbury Campus
    1400 VFW Parkway
    West Roxbury, MA 02132
    Phone: (857) 203-5651
  • Worcester Outpatient Clinic
    605 Lincoln Street
    Worcester, MA 01605
    Phone: (508) 856-0104 x 7023

Massachusetts Accessible Instructional Materials Library (formerly Vision Resource Library)
Baylies Cottage, Massachusetts Hospital School
3 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021
Phone: (781) 575-1843 or (800) 827-7772
Fax: (781) 575-9601
Email: cbrasier@mavisionlib.org
Web: 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.

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