History
MAB’s complete history is available as a PDF download
MAB Community Services has been serving blind and visually impaired people since 1903, the oldest social service agency to serve blind and visually impaired people in the United States. Today MAB has been working in Massachusetts communities for more than 100 years, creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
- Founded in 1903 as the Massachusetts Association for Promoting the Interests of the Adult Blind. Programs are coordinated by volunteers who work from a desk at the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union.
- MAB persuades the state legislature to fund a public agency to address the needs of blind individuals (the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind); today, every state has a similar tax-supported entity.
- Social services established at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary with financing from MAB.
- “Experiment Stations” established to survey private industry and develop new types of work for blind people. This program is now the vocational rehabilitation function of the Commission for the Blind.
- Initiation and promotion of legislation to require silver nitrate drops in the eyes of newborn infants–thus preventing a major cause of blindness.
- Publication of Outlook for the Blind, a journal to effect communication among workers in the field of blindness. It is now called The Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness.
- Financial support of the teacher training programs run by Perkins School and Harvard University.
- Operation of recreational centers and homes for blind men and women: Woolson House, Rogers House, and Fisher House.
- Training of men and women for industrial employment.
- Organization and supervision of vending stands.
- The first professional staff member is hired and a small office is opened in downtown Boston.
- A summer vacation program, Sunlight House, is offered to blind adults, operating until 1976.
- The direct service volunteer program is developed to serve blind people in their communities. This program is still active today.
- Name changes to the Massachusetts Association for the Adult Blind.
- Name shortened to MAB–Massachusetts Association for the Blind.
- MAB opens its Deaf-Blind Education Program to provide services to children born during the rubella epidemic of the 1960s.
- Sight Service Centers open in two inner city neighborhoods to provide services to blind people in their own communities.
- MAB opens its Life Learning program for blind adults with mental retardation who are being de-institutionalized from state facilities.
- First Consumer Advisory Council founded.
- MAB adds Braille and Recording services previously operated by the National Braille Press.
- Vision rehabilitation clinic established in conjunction with Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
- Move to 190 & 200 Ivy Street in Brookline.
- Deaf-Blind Program becomes a Multi-handicapped Children’s program, then is phased out. The Ivy Street School opens to serve children with brain injuries (1993).
- The Team With A Vision begins running in the Boston Marathon®.
- VISION Foundation merges with MAB to form a new department, Vision Community Services, adding in-home rehabilitation and support group services.
- The community residence at 190 Ivy Street is closed and the building sold to finance small group homes for the residents.
- The Cottage Farm Program offers a transitional apartment to Ivy Street School students as they prepare for independent living.
- The Massachusetts Association for the Blind celebrates its 100th anniversary and changes its name to MAB Community Services (2003).
- The Orientation and Mobility Department opens, offering vision rehabilitation services to clients of the Department of Mental Retardation.
- Case Management is introduced to the Vision Community Services Department. A low vision clinic opens in the Central Massachusetts office. Adaptive aid stores and Braille program close. MAB partners with the Holyoke Health Center to launch diabetes & low vision project with funding from the Cox Charitable Trust.
- The Northdale and Browne Street residences open, providing residential supports to young adults leaving educational programs and transitioning to community living.
- MAB’s vocational programming expands to include a Culinary Arts program and job coaches at the Ivy Street School, and shifts its focus to a community-based employment model.
- MAB celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Volunteer Program at its annual Gala 2009.
"Boston is fortunate to have outstanding organizations such as yours providing critical services to residents … thank you for your commitment to strengthening our community."
- Mayor Thomas M. Menino
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