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Get Assistive Technology Advice

Technical Assistance (TA)

MassMATCH TA Services

Technical Assistance (TA) is available from MassMATCH! State or local agencies and other public or private organizations who need TA for assistive technology may contact MassMATCH for contracted services.

Examples of assistance we have provided include help providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in their places of employment, training on ergonomic computer workstation accessibility, and coordination and planning for videophone installation at MRC offices to ensure direct communication access for people who are deaf and their counselors. Our TA staff can work with your organization or agency to evaluate equipment needs and train staff to make AT work for your unique situation.

Please contact:

MassMATCH
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111

866-682-9955 (Toll Free)
617-204-3851 (Voice)
617-204-3815 (TTY)
617-204-3877 (FAX)

Email: info@massmatch.org

TA for Employers from Massachusetts Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (MRC and MCB)

Employers of people with disabilities and employers considering hiring a person with a disability can get free technical assistance from Vocational Rehabilitation agencies in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) are the VR agencies in Massachusetts.
Their available services include:

  • Help complying with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
  • Help accessing IRS tax incentives available to employers of people with disabilities;
  • Disability awareness/sensitivity training;
  • No cost job placement services—help finding a qualified prescreened applicant for a vacant position;
  • Information about on-the-job training funds that can pay for an employee's on-site training period.*
  • On-site consultations for how to modify/adapt the work environment to make it accessible for a particular employee or job applicant with a disability;*
  • Follow-up services to ensure success with accommodations and on-going productivity.*

*These services are available to employers of clients of the VR agencies only.

If you employ or are considering employing a person who is legally blind, please contact the Mass. Commission for the Blind's VR program:

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

If you employ or are considering employing a person who has low vision or has another physical and/or mental disability, please contact:

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission VR program
(800) 245-6543 VOICE/TTY

Find your local MRC VR area office

Communication Access, Training, and Technology Services (CATTS)

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's (MCDHH) CATTS Department provides a range of free professional and educational in-services/presentations to other organizations, agencies, and businesses seeking to improve their effectiveness interacting with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. In-services on AT and "reasonable accommodation" are available as well as programs specifically geared for public agencies and medical offices. Read more about their TA services and request a training at the CATTS website.

CATTS Department
MCDHH Main Office
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111

617-740-1699 (FAX)
617-740-1668 (VOICE)
617-740-1768 (TTY)

Vidoephone:
Dial 617-740-1800 or use the following IP address: 70.22.152.162

MCDHH Western Regional Office
Springfield State Office Building
436 Dwight Street, Suite 204
Springfield, MA 01103-1317

413-731-5177 (FAX)
413-788-6427 (VOICE/TTY)

Videophone:
Dial 413-788-6427 or use the following IP address: 70.109.254.98

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN is a free service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. JAN provides free consulting services to employers and employees including individualized work site accommodations solutions, technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, tax incentives, and information about self-employment options for people with disabilities. JAN is accessible by phone, fax, postal mail, or email. Most calls are routed to one of JAN's four specialty teams. These teams include the Motor/Mobility Team, the Sensory Team, the Cognitive/Psychiatric Team, or the Small Business Self-Employment Team. They are staffed by professional Human Factor Consultants experienced in the field of rehabilitation. JAN's office hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday. Learn more at the JAN website.

Job Accommodation Network
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080

800-526-7234 (VOICE) in the United States
800-ADA-WORK (VOICE) in the United States
877-781-9403 (TTY)
304-293-7186 (VOICE)
304-293-5407 (FAX)
email JAN

PEPNet 2

PEPNet stands for "Post secondary Education Programs Network." PEPNet 2's mission is to improve postsecondary outcomes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with co-occurring disabilities. PEPNet 2 offers consultation, training, professional development, technical assistance and other resources to individuals and institutions including, but not limited to:

•Two- and four-year colleges and universities
•High School Staff
•Vocational and technical training programs
•Community rehabilitation programs
•Adult basic education programs
•Continuing education programs
•Students
•Parents

The PN2 Technical Assistance Center provides resources that support efforts to improve educational, programmatic, and vocational accessibility including:

•Providing evidence based solutions to at stakeholders questions, concerns, and needs at help@pepnet.org;
•Identifying and tracking trends, practices and issues regarding deaf and heard of hearing students and services;
•Working with stakeholders in their preferred communication mode: email, VP, phone. video conferencing or live chat;
•Managing 900 plus member listserv, monitors/participates on other listservs.

PEPNet 2 is funded by a 5 year grant through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the US Department of Education.

Contact: Bambi Riehl, Associate Director for Technical Assistance
bambi.riehl@pepnet.org
414-229-2343 (Voice)
414-395-8280 (Videophone)