Demonstration Centers for Assistive Technology
AT Demonstration Centers provide a place for people with disabilities and their family members/caregivers, to see, learn about, and sometimes try out the latest AT. Most Demo Centers serve a wide range of disabilities, others (such as the Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's center) showcase devices useful for a particular disability category.
- AT Regional Centers (MassMATCH)
- Assets Inc
- Carroll Center for the Blind Low Vision Clinic
- Collaborative Center for Assistive Technology and Training (CCATT)
- Dept. of Mental Retardation (DMR) Adaptive Technology Centers
- MCDHH Technology Demonstration Center
- New England Assistive Technology Marketplace
- Specialized Telephone/TTY Demonstration Centers
AT Regional Centers:
MassMATCH has two AT Regional Centers where anyone can learn about and try out the latest equipment. The Centers are also referred to as DLRC's for "Demonstration Loan Regional Centers."
Eastern Massachusetts:
Easter Seals Technology & Training Center
Katie Krusinski, DLRC Coordinator
Catherine Bly, DLRC Associate
89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111
617-226-2640 or 800-244-2756
Western Massachusetts:
United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County
Dawn Perotti, AT Demo and Loan Coordinator
208 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-442-1562
Assets-Inc
Located in New Bedford, MA, Assistive School Systems Educational Technology Services (Assets Inc.) provides AT demonstration as well as assessment, training and advocacy for persons with disabilities. AT installation and customization is also available. Assets-Inc. serves students, families, caregivers, and educators. Demonstrations are conducted at the Assets Inc. AT Lab and are by appointment only (regular hours are coming soon).
Contact: Jean K. Des Roches, President
Assets Inc. AT Lab
256 Union Street
New Bedfdord, MA
508-992-3128
Carroll Center for the Blind Low Vision Clinic
The Carroll Center for the Blind provides demonstrations of the latest low vision devices the first Friday of each month in their Low Vision Clinic in Newton. Hand-held, desktop and portable devices are shown. Individuals, family members, and professionals are welcome to attend. Demonstrations take approximately 30 minutes and are scheduled beginning at 2 pm. Reservations are required.
Contact: Dina Rosenbaum
770 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458
617-969-6200 ext. 238
Directions to the Carroll Center.
Collaborative Center for Assistive Technology and Training (CCATT)
CCATT, a Northampton-based program, is part of the nonprofit and multi-service Hampshire Educational Collaborative. CCATT offers a range of AT services including product demonstration, evaluation, and training opportunities for students (pre K-age 22), families, and educators. There is a free "professional learning community" AT group that meets monthly. Consulting services to schools is available.
Contact: Karen Kenny, CCATT Director
123 Hawley Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-1664 ext. 108 Phone
413-584-8592 Fax
ccatt@collaborative.org
Dept. of Mental Retardation Adaptive Technology Centers
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) provides services to adults 18 years of age or older who have mental retardation, and children under 18 years of age with a developmental disability. AT services provided by the DMR range from assessments and evaluations to demonstration, design, fabrication, modification, and repair of equipment and devices. Services address mobility, environmental, vocational, leisure and communication needs. Equipment loan is available. Referrals to a DMR Adaptive Technology Center are necessary through an individual's DMR service coordinator.
Greater Boston:
The Fernald Therapeutic Equipment Center
Contact: Meliny King, PT, ATP-Director
200 Trapelo Road
Waltham, MA 02452-6332
781-894-3600 x 2517
781-894-3600 x 2523
781-894-3600 x 2521
Meliny.King@massmail.state.ma.us
Northeast Massachusetts:
Kelley Assistive Technology Resource Center
Contact: Tom Mercier-Director AT Center
Hogan Regional Center, DMR Northeast Region
450 Maple Street
Hathorne, MA 01937
978-774-5000 x 505
978-739-0422 FAX
Thomas.Mercier@dmr.state.ma.us
Southeast Massachusetts:
Assistive Technology Resource Center
Contact: Dottie Rother-Director
Wrentham Development Center-DMR
Emerald Street
Wrentham, MA 02093
508-3116 x 2434
508-384-5524
508-384-5612 FAX
MCDHH Technology Demonstration Center:
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) operates a Boston-based Technology Demonstration Center focused on devices useful to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The center operates by appointment only.
Contact: Debra Lobsitz
150 Mount Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
617-740-1668 (Voice) or 617-740-1768 (TTY)
NEAT Marketplace
The New England Assistive Technology Marketplace (NEAT) provides 25,000 square feet of space for product demonstrations, expos, classes, computer use, research and equipment restoration. This is an ongoing public ‘open house’ to view and try assistive technology that can change the lives of people of all ages, with all types of disabilities. NEAT operates under the auspices of The Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill, a 109 year old non-profit organization located in Hartford, CT. NEAT serves all of New England.
The NEAT Marketplace
120 Holcomb St.
Hartford, CT 06112
860-286-3113 v/TTY
Specialized Telephone/TTY Demonstration Centers
The Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP) is run by Verizon through 16 local agents (listed below). Visit these agents to demo equipment and to acquire it for free (or at a reduced cost) by applying to MassEDP. Note that the equipment is not for sale at these sites except through the MassEDP program.
Boston, MA
Tobias & Battite Hearing Healthcare Center
16 Temple Place
Downtown Crossing
Boston, MA 02111
Voice: 617-426-2226
Fax: 617-426-6443
TTY: 617-426-2226
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Burlington, MA
Hartling Communications
85 Wilmington Rd., Route 62
Unit 16
Burlington, MA 01803
Voice: 800-475-3183
Fax: 781-229 9161
TTY: 781-270-6710
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Contact: Chris Hartling
Fall River, MA
Truesdale Audiology
1030 President Ave.
Fall River, MA 02720
TTY: 508-679-0058
eMail: Send us an eMail
Framingham, MA
Center for Living and Working
24 Union Ave, Suite 4
Framingham, MA 01702
By appointment only.
Voice: 508-820-0493 V/TTY
Fax: 508-875-7181
TTY: 508-820-0493
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Contact: Lynda Carmel
Holden, MA
Holden Hearing Aid Center
695 Main St.
Holden, MA 01520
TTY: 508-829-5566
eMail: Send us an eMail
Hyannis, MA
Cape Cod Phone Center
Route 132
Cape Cod Mall
Hyannis, MA 02601
Voice: 888-790-4500
Fax: 508-790-4210
TTY: 508-790-3276
eMail: Send us an eMail
Deaf Community Enterprises
1019 Iyannough Road
Hyannis, MA 02601
Voice: 866-817-4199
TTY: 508-778-6969
eMail: Send us an eMail
Lowell, MA
Lowell Association for the Blind
169 Merrimack St., Floor 2
Lowell, MA 01852
Voice: 978-454-5704
Fax: 978-458-5563
TTY: 978-458-5563
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Melrose, MA
MA State Association of the Deaf
535 Franklin Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Voice: 781-388-9114
Fax: 781-388-9015
TTY: 781-388-9115
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Contact: Ellen Budnick-Gross
Peabody, MA
Deaf Community Enterprises
484 Lowell St., 1-B-4
Peabody, MA 01960
Voice: 800-957-3323
TTY: 978-535-9724
eMail: Send us an eMail
Pittsfield, MA
United Cerebral Palsy
208 West St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
TTY: 413-442-1562
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Quincy, MA
Deaf Community Enterprises
1245 Hancock St.
Quincy, MA 02169
TTY: 617-479-2999
eMail: Send us an eMail
Springfield, MA
MA State Association of the Deaf
535 Franklin Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Voice: 781-388-9114
Fax: 781-388-9015
TTY: 781-388-9115
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Contact: Ellen Budnick-Gross
Stavros Center for Independent Living
262 Cottage St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Voice: 800-804-1899 x 321
TTY: 413-781-5555 x 321
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site
Worcester, MA
Center for Living and Working
484 Main St., Suite 345
Worcester, MA 01608
TTY: 508-799-8752
eMail: Send us an eMail
Web: Visit our web site


