Developmental Disabilities

Massachusetts Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

Massachusetts has a comprehensive system of specialized services and supports to give individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities the opportunities to live the way they choose. The Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) is the state agency that manages and oversees this service system. Every day, DMR provides these specialized services and supports, including day supports, residential supports, family supports, respite, and transportation. DMR provides these services through facilities and community-based state operated programs and by contracting with private provider agencies.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) provides comprehensive services to people with disabilities that will maximize their quality of life and economic self-sufficiency in the community. This is accomplished through multiple programs in the three service delivery areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Services (Independent Living), and Disability Determination Services. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission's Vocational Rehabilitation Program assists individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. Vocational rehabilitation services can often reduce or remove barriers to employment.

In Massachusetts the Extended Employment Program (EEP) provides services to people with the developmental disabilities who want to work. The EEP is a program of the Statewide Employment Services Department (SES) which is part of the Community Services Division of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). The goal of the EEP program is to provide flexibility and increased options for individuals with severe disabilities who have difficulty obtaining and sustaining employment. This program brings the worker closer to and possibly into a competitive employment setting.

Sheltered Employment

Statewide Employee Services Department (SES) within the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) oversees 44 day programs with 800 plus participants working in a sheltered environment. In Massachusetts the Extended Employment Program (EEP) provides services to people with the developmental disabilities who want to work. The EEP is a program of the Statewide Employment Services Department (SES) which is part of the Community Services Division of the MRC. The EEP offers the option of working in a sheltered environment.

Competitive Employment

The MRC Community-Based Supported Employment Services assists individuals with severe disabilities to identify, obtain, and maintain competitive employment in integrated settings. Competitive, integrated jobs in the community are provided through: assessment, job placement, individual employment supports, and extended services.

Health and Safety

The Division of Occupational Safety and OSHA have a Cooperative Consultation Agreement since 1975. The program provides consultation services to employers with the goal of preventing the occurrence of injuries and illnesses which may result from exposure to hazardous workplace conditions and from hazardous work practices.

The Division of Occupational Safety in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development oversees the health and safety of public sector employees and investigates workplace conditions that relate to health hazards and occupational diseases.

People with developmental disabilities working in non-sheltered employment in Massachusetts for a private sector employer are covered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are 3 Federal OSHA area offices are located in Massachusetts. Address and phone numbers can be found at: http://www.osha.gov/oshdir/ma.html .

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

In Massachusetts, The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DDPC) offers a hotline that is manned 24 hours a day for reporting incidents of suspected abuse involving adults with disabilities. The DDPC staff will review each report of abuse and determine the response needed to ensure the safety of the individuals involved. Information gathered is entered into a database for review each time a subsequent report is made. An investigator is assigned to each call that meets the jurisdictional criteria. A member of the State Police reviews every report made to the hotline to determine whether a criminal investigation is necessary. Suspected criminal activity is reported to the appropriated District Attorney's Office.

Protection and Advocacy

Other sources of assistance for workers with developmental disabilities include: