History
MAB’s complete history is available as a PDF download
MAB Community Services has been working in Massachusetts communities for more than 100 years.
- 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.
"I worked hard at my job in the kitchen. Since leaving I am using the skills taught to me to find a full time job. I would like to be a fitness trainer. I know it won’t be easy, but with my confidence and determination that Ivy has given me I will succeed!"
- Robert
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