Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Boston Office
48 Boylston Street
Boston, MA02116-4718
617 727 5550
1 800 392 6450 (Mass. only)
800 392 6556 (Mass. only) TDD
617 626 7685, fax

Web site: www.mass.gov/mcb

Description of Program/Services Provided:

Assistance with legal rights and benefits
Massachusetts Reading Network—a statewide reading service
Weekly news information tape
Independent Living Social Services—includes counseling, homemaker services, orientation and mobility instruction, rehabilitation teaching
Vocational rehabilitation services—includes counseling, medical services, low-vision services and aids, training
Services to blind children and their families
Services for deaf-blind/multihandicapped individuals
Bridge Program—independent living services to consumers 55 and over
Employment opportunities with the Vending Facilities
Advocacy services

Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission
50 Ross Way
Quincy, MA 02169
617 727 6465
1 800 426 9009, Hotline (24 hrs-7days/wk)

617 727 6469 (fax)

Web site: www.mass.gov/dppc/

Description of Program/Services Provided:

Toll-free hotline to report suspected abuse of a disabled person.

The criteria require that the victim of the alleged abuse must:

Be between the ages of 18 and 59 years
Be disabled by means of mental illness, mental retardation or physical impairment
Require the assistance of a caretaker to accomplish daily living needs as a result of the disability

To establish jurisdiction the Hotline staff must also examine the nature of the incident. M.G.L. c. 19C and the DPPC regulations 118 CMR require that the incident must:

Involve an individual with a disability
Include an act or omission by a caretaker
Result in a serious physical or emotional injury

Massachusetts Office on Disability
Client Services Program
617 727 7440
1 800 322 2020 (V/TTY)

Web site: www.mass.gov/mod/

Description of Program/Services Provided:

Information and referral and advocacy services for people who are having difficulties in obtaining rehabilitation and independent living related services.
Helps people get services from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and the Independent Living Centers in Massachusetts.