Disability Links

Links to resources and organizations in many areas related to people with disabilities and services.

Advocacy

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)

American Association of People with Disabilities

Coalition of Families and Advocates (COFAR)

Disability Law Center

Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC)

Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS)

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)

MassFamilies

Special Needs Advocacy Network

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Arc of Massachusetts Legislative Advocacy Training

The Arc of the United States: Civil Rights Issues

Massachusetts Office on Disability Client Assistance Program

Assistive Technology

AbleData

Center on Technology and Disability

Easter Seals Massachusetts Assistive Technology Services

MassMatch AT 4 All

Mass Assistive Technology Loan Program

 MassAbility Assistive Technology Program

Technology for Autism Now (TAN)

The Assistive Technology Exchange in New England

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Assistive Technology Resource

UCP Berkshire Assistive Technology Center

Wheelchair Recycler

Autism

Advocates For Autism (AFAM)

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM)

Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)

Autism Society of America

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks New England

Autism Support Centers

Boston Children’s Hospital – Autism Spectrum Center

Communicating with an Autistic Child: A Parent’s Guide

Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism

First Signs

Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center

Massachusetts General Hospital – The Lurie Center for Autism

The National Autism Resource and Information Center – A collaboration hosted by The Arc

Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children

Brain Injury

Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts

Traumatic Brain Injury Resources – Massachusetts

Caregiver Programs

Massachusetts Adult Foster Care

Children

Massachusetts Child Care Resource and Referral – Locator by Town

Exceptional Lives Special Needs Resources for Massachusetts Families

Federation for Children with Special Needs Parent Training and Information Center

Chronic Pain

American Chronic Pain Association

Working Together with Your Doctor to Manage Your Pain

Colleges

Disability Friendly Colleges

Community Human Services Organizations

Massachusetts Providers’ Council

Dental

Health Care For All: Oral Health Campaign

MassHealth Find a Dentist

Disabilities

Center for  Parent Information and Resources

Massachusetts Office  on Disability

Disability News

Disabled World

Disability Scoop

Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters

Domestic Violence Programs

Massachusetts Women’s Domestic Violence Shelters

Massachusetts Women’s Shelters

Driver Evaluation

Central Massachusetts Safety Council

Massachusetts Drivers with Disabilities

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Hotline

Find Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings in Massachusetts

Al-Anon and Alateen Meetings List in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Al-Anon Family Groups in Massachusetts

Early Intervention

Directory of Massachusetts Early Intervention Centers by City/ Family Ties

Education

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

DESE Special Education Policy

Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Massachusetts Association for Approved Private Schools (MAAPS)

Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI)

Massachusetts Parent Advisory Councils (MassPAC)

Special Needs Advocacy Network (SPAN)

Special Needs Alliance (SNA)

Technical Assistance Collaborative

Think Inclusive

Understood

US Department of Education: Office for Civil Rights

WrightsLaw

Elder Care

Elder Abuse Hotline  1-800-922-2275

Executive Office of Elder Affairs  Protective Services Program

Find Senior Living Facilities

Massachusetts Home Care Agencies 

Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (MASS-ALA)

Skilled Nursing Facilities Directory

Visiting Nurse Associations of New England

Emergency Preparedness

Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM)

Ready.gov – Disaster Help

Energy Programs

Low-Income Energy Programs (LIHEAP)

Future Planning 

ABLE Accounts

Choosing a Lawyer to Help Plan for the Future (.pdf)

Legal Planning For Special Families in Massachusetts: A Family Guide to SSI

Guardianship and Estate Planning, by Barbara Jackins

Letter of Intent

The Arc’s Center for Future Planning

The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child’s Life, by John W. Nadworny, CFP®, CHFC and Cynthia R. Haddad, CFP®

Tools for Tomorrow

Government

Find My Legislator

US House of Representatives

US Senate

Grants

Philanthropy Massachusetts

Grant Information Federal Grants

Health

An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism (ARICA)

Boston Children’s Hospital – Autism Spectrum Center

Boston Children’s Hospital – Down Syndrome Program

Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs

Health Care Coverage Guides

Health Care For All

Massachusetts General Hospital – Down Syndrome Program

Massachusetts General Hospital – The Lurie Center for Autism

Medline Plus Health Information

Sample Letters of Medical Necessity

Tufts Medicine Pediatrics

UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children’s Down Syndrome Program

Health Insurance

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 

Health Care for All Health Insurance Helpline

Health Safety Net Program (Free Care)

Boston Mayor’s Health Line 

MassHealth

Medicare 

My Ombudsman – MassHealth Plans

Medicare and You Handbook 2024 (.pdf)

Medicare: for Non-Elderly People with Disabilities Fact Sheet

Home Care Services

Massachusetts Elder Affairs: In-home Services

Medline Plus Home Care Services Information 

Mass Home Care

Home Care Alliance Resources

Homelessness

City of Boston Public Health Commission Homeless Shelter Information

City of Worcester Homeless Assistance

HUD Homeless Information for Massachusetts

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless 

New England Center for Homeless Veterans

Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness

Household & Clothes

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Programs

Job Interview Clothing – Boston, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester

SuitAbility Community Teamwork

Housing

Advocates Guide 2024: A Primer on Federal Affordable Housing & Community Development Programs

Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)

Architectural Access Board (AAB)

Autism Housing in Massachusetts

Boston Housing Authority 

Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)

DDS Housing

Easter Seals Easy Access Housing for Easier Living Program

Habitat for Humanity

Home Modification Loan Program

Housing Works

A Guide to Obtaining Housing Assistance in Massachusetts

HUD in Massachusetts

MassAccess – Online Search for Accessible Housing 

Massachusetts Housing Authorities Listings

Rebuilding Together Boston

USDA Loans and Grants

Independent Living Centers

Massachusetts Independent Living Centers (ILCs)

Interacting with People with Disabilities

United Spinal Cord Association – It Starts with Disability Etiquette

Disability Etiquette

Jobs & Work

Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)

Easter Seals Job Development & Placement

Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Real Lives

HMEA’s Autism Advantage @ Work

Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

MassAbility Career Programs and Services

MassHire Career Centers 

Self Employment for People with Disabilities

Ticket To Work Program

Literacy Resources

First Literacy Boston

System for Adult Basic Education Support

Massachusetts Department of Education – Office of Literacy

Massachusetts Reading Association

Massachusetts Libraries Providing Literacy/ESOL Programs

Learning Ally for Blind, Visually Impaired and Dyslexic

Massachusetts Statewide Agencies

Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB)

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DOE) Mass Literacy

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH)

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)

MassAbility

Massachusetts Transitional Assistance (DTA)

Mental Health

Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition Directory

Massachusetts National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)

Rape Crisis Centers in Massachusetts

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Locator

Parents with Disabilities

NCD Parents with Disabilities Toolkit (.pdf)

College Scholarships for Children of Parents with Disabilities

Patient Rights

Consider Your Legal and Patients Rights

Mass General Hospital Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Massachusetts Law about Health Care

Personal Care (PCA) Programs

Personal Care Programs Information

Massachusetts PCA Directory

Physical Activity and Disability

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

Physical Therapy

American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts

Physician Finder

Medline’s Doctor and Dentist Locator Directories

Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine Physician Profile

Prescriptions

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) Pharmacy Outreach Program

Medicare Prescription Drug Program

Needymeds – Patient Assistance Programs

Recreation

“Fun and Friends Connection”

4-H

Accessible Swimming Pools

All Out Adventures

Archery

Bird Watching

Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance

Bowling

Boy Scouts of America

Boys & Girls Clubs

Camps

Cross-Country Skiing

Easter Seals Camp and Recreation Programs

Exceptional Vacations

Fishing

Geocaching

Girl Scouts

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Ice Skating

Jogging & Accessible Trails 

Kayaking and Canoeing

Laser Tag

MA Department of Conservation & Recreation Universal Access

Martial Arts

National Center for Physical Activity and Disability

Nature Walks

Orienteering

Mass Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Mass Dept of Conservation and Recreation Universal Access Program

National Parks Accessibility 

Northeast Passage Recreational Therapy 

Pottery Making

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship

Quidditch

Running, Wheelchair Racing and Walking Team

Sailing

Search Beyond Adventures

Special Olympics

Travel

Volunteering

Water Skiing

YMCAs

Zumba

Respite Care

Arch Respite Resource Center

Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition

Massachusetts Respite Care for Seniors

Autism Speaks Respite Care Services

Schools

Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools

Massachusetts Home Learning Association – Homeschooling

New England Psychologists Listing of Massachusetts Residential Schools

Montessori Foundation

Service Dogs & Therapy Animals

Pet Partners Therapy Animals

International Association of Assistance Dog Partners

National Education for Assistance Dog Services

American Humane Service Dogs for Veterans

Service Dog Providers for Veterans

Social Security

Beneplan – Social Security & Work

Social Security Local Office Locator

Social Security Disability Starter Kit

Social Security Ticket-to-Work program

Social Security Work Incentives

Special Education

Disabilities and Testing

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Internet Special Education Resource (ISER)

The Federation for Children with Special Needs

Massachusetts Parent Advisory Council

Massachusetts SPED PACs Directory

Special Olympics

Special Olympics Massachusetts

Sports

Kids In Disability Sports

STRIDE Adaptive Sports

Summer Camps

Camps for Children with Diabetes

Easter Seals  Camp & Recreation

Federation for  Children with Special Needs Camp Guide

KidsKamps.com

Summer Camps for Amputees and Children with Limb Differences

Support Groups

Sibling Support Project

Well Spouse Foundation – Support for Spousal Caregivers

Technology

Easter Seals / Assistive Technology

Center on Technology and Disability

Tenant Rights

Boston Tenant Coalition Tenant Rights

Tenant Rights

Transportation

Access Unlimited – Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Cape Cod Transit Authority Transportation

Disability Plates and Placards

Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation)

Finding Transportation in Massachusetts

Mass. Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)

MBTA Bus Access Guide

MBTA the Ride

MBTA Travel Training

MBTA / Reduced Fare Passes for Disabled and Seniors

Mercy Medical Angels National Patient Air Transport HELPLINE

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority

Riding the T – Accessible Services

Travel

Access Travel Center: Accessible van rentals, van sales, hotels, cruise ships by STATE

American Disability Travel

Accessible Air Travel

TSA Special Procedures for Travelers with Disabilities

Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality

Accessible Travel Planning

Air Carrier Access Act for Passengers with Disabilities

Amtrak  Accessibile Travel Services

Corporate Angel Network – Free Flight Cancer Patients

Fly Rights for Passengers with Disabilities

 National Patient Travel Helpline

The Guided Tour – Supervised Travel for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Trips Inc.  for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Trips R Us for People with Developmental Challenges

Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide

University Centers of Excellence in  Developmental Disability (AUCD)

Fact Sheet last updated on: 10/9/2024

Disclaimer: INDEX is pleased to provide you this information. Please note,  this information is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to take the place of professional advice. We encourage you to check other resources of such information. No endorsement by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, DisabilityInfo.org,  INDEX, or affiliates, should be inferred. We reserve the right to remove, to modify, or to add any information at any time, for any reason, and without notice.