- Outside Services
This section provides information on services outside of the University. Such committees as the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind or the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provide assistance to students with disabilities. These are just a sample of the many organizations here to provide outside assistance alongside the services provided by the University. We encourage students with disabilities to seek aid with the following organizations.
When planning to attend any university or college, students are strongly advised to work with the Department of Rehabilitation or Commissions such as the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or the Massachusetts Association for the Blind. These agencies provide various types of assistance based on the individual’s disability. Students need to contact these offices well in advance to insure sufficient time to process requests.
For more information on such agencies, write to:
Information Center for Individuals with Disabilities
27 - 43 Wormwood St.
Boston, MA 02210
Call at: (800) 462 - 5015 TDD (617) 345 - 9743
Massachusetts Commission For the Blind (MCB)
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind is a state agency that provides a wide range of rehabilitation and social services to legally blind Massachusetts residents. The services include vocational rehabilitation, orientation and mobility instruction for safe independent travel, advocacy for blindness related issues, assistance with obtaining legal benefits, and adaptive skills training in Braille. The MCB has limited free courtesy services for out-of-state students. The Commission defines "Legal Blindness" as people who have corrected vision of 20/200 or less in the better eye (i.e. one does not have to lose total vision to qualify for "legally blind" status).
Students who want to receive services from the MBC are required to register with MCB. Registration is based on the results of a current eye examination. The physician must submit the results of the examination within 30 days to the Commission.
For more further information, write to:
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
88 Kingston Street
Boston, MA 02111
Or call at: (617) 727-5500
Massachusetts Association For the Blind (MAB)
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind, Braille Translation Office provides services in translating books into Braille. Students are responsible for the fees related to the services.
For more information, write to:
Massachusetts Association for the Blind
200 Ivy Street
Brookline, MA 02146
Call at: (617) 738-5115
Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB & D)
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic is a nonprofit organization which makes recordings of educational and professional books at all academic levels for the blind and individuals with physical or learning disabilities free of charge. These includes textbooks, research materials, and a variety of computer manuals as well as fiction, drama, and poetry in a number of languages. Students who want recordings made will have to send two print copies of the material with instructions on how they would like the materials to be recorded. Students will receive cassette tapes, each with up to six hours of recording on them. The association requires documentation confirming the student’s print disability. Students can obtain lifetime Association membership for $75.00.
For more information, write to:
Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Call at: (617) 577-1111
Massachusetts Commission For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the principal state agency serving on behalf of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Services include coordinating a statewide interpreter referral service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, referral for Computer Aided Realtime Translation (CART), screening and approved potential for interpreters and related services.
For more information, write to:
Administrative Office & Eastern Massachusetts
Regional Services
600 Washington Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02111
Call(TTY/V): (617) 695 - 7500
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission is a state agency that provides comprehensive services for people with disabilities through a variety of programs. Services available include but are not limited to: diagnostic evaluation restorative treatment and equipment such as: wheelchairs, hearing aides, etc. interpreters, telecommunications for the deaf limited financial aid (the amount of financial assistance depends on the client’s financial need and severity of the disability)
For more information, write to:
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
27 - 43 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210
Call at: (617) 727 - 2183
Through a special program, Verizon (New England Phone/Bell Atlantic) distributes special telephone equipment to individuals who are mobility impaired, deaf, hard of hearing and who have speech or vision impairments. Applicants must reside in Massachusetts and have the use of residential telephone services. To receive equipment under this program the student’s disability must be certified by either the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing or theMassachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
For more information, write to:
Verizon Customer Contact Center for Individuals with Disabilities
251 Locke Drive
Marlboro, MA 01752
Call at: (800) 974-6006 (V/TTY)