Funding for Home and Community 
For people who are legally blind
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
Independent Living Social Services
MCB provides AT devices and services for daily living needs with state funding. AT provided may include reading lamps, large print calendars, talking clocks and watches among other devices. Read more.
Who is Eligible?
Legally blind residents of Massachusetts who need assistance to achieve independent living goals. There are income eligibility guidelines for more costly AT needs (such as computer software). Some inexpensive, incidental devices (such as clocks) are supplied to newly blinded consumers in order to familiarize them with everyday adaptive devices.
How are AT Services Provided?
MCB case managers make referrals to MCB's Technology for the Blind Program for individuals needing AT equipment. The Technology for the Blind program conducts evaluations and makes AT recommendations where necessary.
What AT is Provided?
Equipment commonly provided to improve daily living depends on each individual's needs and may include reading lamps, large print calendars, talking clocks and watches among other devices.
Learn more about IL Social Services at MCB at www.mass.gov/mcb
Contact
Boston MCB Office
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: (617) 727-5550
VOICE (800) 392-6450 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE (800) 392-6556 (MASS. ONLY)
TDD Fax: (617) 626-7685
Worcester MCB Office
390 Main Street
Suite 620
Worcester, Ma 01608-2111
(508) 754-1148 VOICE
(800) 263-6944 (MASS ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 752-7832
Springfield MCB Office
436 Dwight Street Room
109 Springfield, Ma 01103
(413) 781-1290
VOICE
(800) 332-2772 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE
Fax: (413) 746-8570
New Bedford MCB Office
800 Purchase Street
Suite 290
New Bedford, Ma. 02740-6344
(508) 993-6140 VOICE
(800) 989-4411 (MASS. ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 992-4147
Flexible Family Supports
MCB uses federal funding (Title VII Part B) to provide for unique one-time needs faced by MCB consumers when they present obstacles to independent living and the needs cannot be met by any other source of funding. This is a very limited resource for AT needs that cannot be provided through other programs. Read more.
MCB's Title VII Part B federal funding provides a modest budget for Flexible Family Supports. As funding allows, the program provides for unique one-time needs faced by MCB consumers when they present obstacles to independent living and the needs cannot be met by any other source of funding. This is a very limited resource for AT needs that cannot be provided through other programs.
Who is Eligible?
Legally blind residents of Massachusetts.
How are AT Services Provided?
MCB case managers make referrals to MCB's Title VII, Part B Supervisor.
What AT is Provided?
Most needs met by this program are not AT and are more likely clothing or financial assistance. However, van modifications and home modifications have been provided on a case-by-case basis as funding has allowed. Other AT or adaptive devices may be available. The program is designed to be flexible to the unique family needs of legally blind persons served by MCB.
Contact
Boston MCB Office
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: (617) 727-5550
VOICE (800) 392-6450 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE (800) 392-6556 (MASS. ONLY)
TDD Fax: (617) 626-7685
Worcester MCB Office
390 Main Street
Suite 620
Worcester, Ma 01608-2111
(508) 754-1148 VOICE
(800) 263-6944 (MASS ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 752-7832
Springfield MCB Office
436 Dwight Street Room
109 Springfield, Ma 01103
(413) 781-1290
VOICE
(800) 332-2772 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE
Fax: (413) 746-8570
New Bedford MCB Office
800 Purchase Street
Suite 290
New Bedford, Ma. 02740-6344
(508) 993-6140 VOICE
(800) 989-4411 (MASS. ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 992-4147
Bridge Program for Blind Elders
This federally funded (Title VII, Chapter 2) program provides independent living services to people who are legally blind and age 55 or older. IL services may include training, adaptive devices, as well as peer support. Read more.
MCB's federally funded Bridge Program (Title VII, Chapter 2 funds) provides needed independent living services to people who are legally blind and age 55 or older. IL services may include training, adaptive devices, as well as peer support.
Who is Eligible?
Legally blind residents of Massachusetts who are age 55 or older and have a secondary disability (such as hearing loss).
How are AT Services Provided?
Bridge services are provided after an assessment is made by an MCB Bridge Program case manager. The case manager may make referrals to the Technology for the Blind program for evaluation of the individual's needs for specific technology.
What AT is Provided?
Bridge Program AT services may include low-vision, AT devices, hearing aids and other assistive listening devices, and other adaptive equipment and supplies. In addition to AT services, the program provides information and referral, advocacy, essential skills training for living with a secondary disability, training on how to self-manage diabetes, and peer support groups.
Contact
Boston MCB Office
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: (617) 727-5550
VOICE (800) 392-6450 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE (800) 392-6556 (MASS. ONLY)
TDD Fax: (617) 626-7685
Worcester MCB Office
390 Main Street
Suite 620
Worcester, Ma 01608-2111
(508) 754-1148 VOICE
(800) 263-6944 (MASS ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 752-7832
Springfield MCB Office
436 Dwight Street Room
109 Springfield, Ma 01103
(413) 781-1290
VOICE
(800) 332-2772 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE
Fax: (413) 746-8570
New Bedford MCB Office
800 Purchase Street
Suite 290
New Bedford, Ma. 02740-6344
(508) 993-6140 VOICE
(800) 989-4411 (MASS. ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 992-4147
