Resources

• American Foundation for the Blind
• American Foundation for the Blind Senior Site
• American Printing House for the Blind
• Blinded Veterans Association
• Family Caregiver Alliance Vision Loss Information Page
• Hadley School For the Blind, The
• Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
• Lighthouse
• Lions World Services for the Blind
• Perkins School for the Blind Information Clearinghouse on Blindness Visual Impairment
• National Council on Disability
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
• Social Security Administration

• Who’s Who In Eye Care (PDF)
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Sight Loss (PDF)

Resource Directory of Massachusetts Agencies and Organizations Serving Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired (PDF)

Single copies of this publication in braille, large print, cassette or electronic formats are available at no cost from the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. For pricing on multiple copy orders, contact the Library.
617-972-7240 or 1-800-852-3133
Fax: 617-972-7363
TTY: 617-972-7690
Library@Perkins.org

Quick Links to some of the social service agencies found in the Resource Directory:

Carroll Center for the Blind
Located in Newton, serves persons 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
http://www.carroll.org

Deaf Blind Contact Center
Provides social/recreational activities and SSR volunteer services for Deafblind individuals during events. Also provides training and education about deaf-blindness.
215 Brighton Ave Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-4925 (Voice/TTY and Fax) Relay: 711
E-mail: dbcc_ma@yahoo.com

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.
174 Central St Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 454-5704
E-mail: labinfo@lowellassociationfortheblind.org
www.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.
48 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116-4718
617-727-5550
http://www.state.ma.us/mcb

Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
The Vision Rehabilitation Center 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 and computer software adaptations. psycho-social counseling, sale of optical non-optical devices and CCTV’s.
243 Charles St Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-4177
www.meei.harvard.edu

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.
27-43 Wormwood St Boston, MA 02210
(617) 204-3600 or (800) 245-6543
http://www.state.ma.us/mrc/

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
http://www.nbp.org

Perkins School for the Blind
A residential school in Watertown for individuals 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
http://www.perkins.org

Recording For The Blind and Dyslexic
Offers a lending library of educational books on tape and recording services for persons with a print disability. See web site for regional locations.
58 Charles St Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 577-1111
E-mail: boston@rfbd.org
http://www.rfbd.org/bostoncontact.htm

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.
87 School St P.O. Box 414 West Dennis, MA 02670
(508) 394-3904 or (800) 427-6842 (MA only)
E-mail: sightloss@capecod.net
www.sightloss.org

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
www.ticnetwork.com

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
http://www.worcpublib.org/talkingbook

Visual Impairment Services Team At The Boston V.A. (VIST)
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.
251 Causeway St Boston, MA 02114
(617) 248-1360