Massachusetts State Agencies
The Mass Department of Education’s website section on special education, at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/, is an extremely helpful resource and may answer many questions you have.
Created by Massachusetts educators, the Educator Effectiveness Guidebook for Inclusive Practice, at http://www.doe.mass.edu/edeval/guidebook/, promotes evidence-based, best practices for inclusion following the principles of Universal Design for Learning, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and Social and Emotional Learning.
Department of Developmental Services (formerly Dept of Mental Retardation) – 617-727-5608
Department of Public Health – 617-624-5969 – 800-905-8437 (Early Intervention Programs)
Department of Social Services -(DSS) 617-748-2000 -800-792-5200
Disabilities Law Center (DLC) 11 Beacon Street – Suite 925 Boston, MA 02108 617-723-8455
DLC Western Massachusetts Office: 22 Green Street Northampton, Massachusetts, 01060 (413) 584-6337 or (800) 222-5619 Voice (413) 582-6919 TTY
Mass Access – the accessible housing registry, a program of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission – metrowest area call 508-875-7853 V/TTY
MassMATCH – www.massmatch.org – MassMATCH is the Commonwealth’s initiative to Maximize Assistive Technology (AT) in Consumer’s Hands. As you navigate your way through this website you’ll soon realize that it is the culmination of the wonderful work of seven Massachusetts human services agencies and our constituents with a shared vision of empowering people with disabilities, as well as the general public, with affordable, accessible Assistive Technology (AT) and information
Massachusetts Advocacy Center for Children (MAC) 100 Boylston Street, Suite 200 Boston MA 02116 617-357-8431
Massachusetts ARC 217 South Street Waltham, MA 02453 781-891-6270 email: arcmass@arcmass.org
Massachusetts Association for Parents of the Visually Impaired
Exceptional Schools for Exceptional Children – This web site is for individuals looking to find more information about private day and residential schools approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education under c. 766. For further information, contact the maaps office at (781) 245-1220 or info@maaps.org.
Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) 17 Lakeside Office Park Wakefield, MA 01880 781-245-1220
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind – 800-392-6450; 617-626-7650 (TTY)
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – 617-740-1600; (617-740-1700 (TTY)
Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE)/ Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) – 350 Main Street Malden, MA 02148-5023 781-388-3300
Massachusetts Department of Education Bureau of Special Education Appeals
Massachusetts Department of Education Program Quality Assurance
Massachusetts Department of Education Info for Parents about Special Education
Massachusetts Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) – 877-471-0980 – PIRC is a place where parents learn about their rights and options under both state and federal education laws so they can make the best choice for their children.
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council – 617-770-7676
Massachusetts Family Ties – A statewide information and referral network for families of children with special needs
Massachusetts Family Voices – A statewide information and referral network for families of children with special needs.
Massachusetts Office on Disability – 617-727-7440 Disability Rights Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission – 617-204 3600; 800-245-6543 (in MA only) – www.mass.gov/mrc
MCAS and special education -www. doe.mass.edu/mcas/guides/spedmcas.htm
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) 45 Bromfield Street, 10th floor, Boston, MA 02108; 800-866-815-8122; 617-542-7860 www.ppal.net
Special Olympics, Massachusetts MetroWest Area -ww.specialolympicsma.org– 508-616-6663 – Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well-coached Olympic-type sports for individuals with mental retardation, or closely-related developmental disabilities
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Public Information Line – 800-882-1435