Skip to main content Change fonts and color
Home

Local Resources

Tips for Traveling
A comprehensive article with tips and resources about navigating travel from the blind and low-vision community:
Blind Massachusetts travelers discuss the reality of trips without barriers for the blind

Carroll Center for the Blind 
Located in Newton, The Carroll Center serves people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Campus or community-based programs include independent living skills, computer training, orientation & mobility training, education, and employment services, and an outdoor enrichment program.
770 Centre St Newton, MA 02458
(617) 969-6200 or (800) 852-3131

Deaf Inc.
Provides social/recreational activities and SSR volunteer services for Deafblind individuals during events. Also provides training and education about deafblindness.
215 Brighton Ave Allston, MA 02134
(617) 505-4823 VP/V or  (617) 254-4041 TTY/V

Lowell Association for the Blind
Provides social and recreation programs, sports, braille lessons, craft classes, Drop-In Center, information and referral, and volunteer services throughout Greater Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. The Center provides adaptive equipment assessments and training, and computer and Braille training, Also an authorized agent for the Massachusetts Telephone Access Program.
(978) 454- 5704
E-mail: labinfo@lowellassociationfortheblind.org

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
MCB is part of the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services. MCB provides rehabilitation and social services to legally blind residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(617)727-5550
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-blind

Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Vision Rehabilitation Center
The Vision Rehabilitation Center at Mass Eye & Ear offers vision evaluation by a low vision specialty team, evaluation for optical aids and devices, and training for their use. Services also include evaluation for daily living skills, reading machines, computer software adaptations, psycho-social counseling, and the sale of optical non-optical devices and CCTV’s.
243 Charles St Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-4177

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, community services, and eligibility determination for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefits programs.
(617) 204-3600 or (800) 245-6543

National Braille Press
A nonprofit braille printer and publisher offering braille books, magazines, textbooks, tests, and customized embossing services.
88 St. Stephen St Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6160 Toll-free: (888) 965-8965

Perkins School for the Blind
A residential school in Watertown for children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind, and blind with additional disabilities. The Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library provides free Braille, large-print, and recorded books; audio-described videos; and Newsline, a telephone-based newspaper listening service. Perkins Outreach Services to Elders offers community-based and center-based services to seniors 60+ who are legally blind. The Howe Press manufactures and sells the Perkins Brailler and other products for people who are blind or visually impaired.
175 North Beacon St Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7240 or (800) 852-3133 (New England only)
E-mail: library@perkins.org

Sight Loss Services, Inc.
Provides peer support, information and referral, and home independence training to individuals on Cape Cod & the Islands who are learning to cope and function safely and independently with the loss of sight.
(508) 394-3904 or (800) 427-6842 (MA only)
E-mail: sightloss@capecod.net

Talking Information Center (TIC)
The radio reading service for persons with a print disability in Massachusetts. See web site for affiliates that provide current print information to residents with a print disability in their areas.
P.O. Box 519 130 Enterprise Drive Marshfield, MA 02050
(781) 834-4400 or (800) 696-9505

The Talking Book Library at the Worcester Public Library
Provides cassette books, large type books, descriptive videos, and print/braille materials to individuals unable to read regular print due to a visual physical or neurological disability.
3 Salem Sq Worcester, MA 01608-2074
(508) 799-1730 or (800) 762-0085 (MA only) or (508) 799-1724 (TTY)
E-mail: talkbook@cwmars.org

Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) at the Boston Veterans Administration
Provides services to veterans who are legally blind whether or not they are service-connected for their blindness. Benefits review and psychosocial assessments are completed on all veterans and appropriate referrals to community and V.A. agencies are made.
(800)865-3488

Tech Resources

Many agencies and organizations are now dedicated to Age-Friendly services in Massachusetts. Some of these entities are:

Translate »