Information and referrals for advocacy, skills training, peer counseling, and technical assistance
Assistive Technology Services
Continuing Education classes offered in American Sign Language
Academic, vocational, and independent living evaluations
American Sign Language Classes available

Status or Documentation needed to access services: Consumer needs to be deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened or deaf-blind. Documentation is not required.

Cost of services: No fees except for some adult education classes.

Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission
50 Ross Way
Quincy, MA 02169
617 727 6465
1 800 426 9009, Hotline

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/clientser.html

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.