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.
25 Staniford Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617-626-8000
Web:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2homepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eeohhs2
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.
Administrative Offices, Fort Point Place
Suite 600
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616
Web: http://www.mass.gov/mrc
Web: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2= Disability+Services&L3=Vocational+Rehabilitation+Services&L4=Statewide +Employment+Services+(SES)&sid=Eeohhs2
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.
Administrative Offices, Fort Point Place
Suite 600
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616
Web: http://www.mass.gov/mrc
Web: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2= Disability+Services&L3=Vocational+Rehabilitation+Services&L4=Statewide +Employment+Services+(SES)&sid=Eeohhs2
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.
Administrative Offices, Fort Point Place
Suite 600
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616
Web: http://www.mass.gov/mrc
Web: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2= Disability+Services&L3=Vocational+Rehabilitation+Services&L4=Statewide +Employment+Services+(SES)&sid=Eeohhs2
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.
1001 Watertown Street, 2nd Floor
West Newton, MA 02465
Phone: 617-969-7177
Fax: 617-727-7581
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
399 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-7047
(617) 727-1933
(800) 425-0004
Fax: (617) 727-7568
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
State Office Building
333 East Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-784-1160
Fax: 413-784-1163
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
165 Liberty Street
Springfield, MA 01102
Phone: 413-781-2676
Fax: 413-784-1144
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
Westboro State Hospital
167 Lyman Street
Westboro, MA 01581
Phone: 508-616-0461
508-792-7225
Fax: 508-616-0467
Web: http://www.gov/dos/consult/index.htm
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.
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
399 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-7047
(617) 727-1933
(800) 425-0004
Fax: (617) 727-7568
Web: http://www.mass.gov/dos/index.htm
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 .
Valley Office Park
13 Branch Street
Methuen, Massachusetts 01844
Phone: (617) 565-8110
Fax: (617) 565-8115
South Boston Area Office
639 Granite Street, 4th Floor
Braintree, Massachusetts 02184
Phone: (617) 565-6924
Fax: (617) 565-6923
Springfield Area Office
1441 Main Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01103-1493
Phone: (413) 785-0123
Fax: (413) 785-0136
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.
50 Ross Way
Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: 617-727-6465
Hotline Number: 800-426-9009
Web: http://www.mass.gov/dppc
Protection and Advocacy
Other sources of assistance for workers with developmental disabilities include:
1150 Hancock Street, 3rd Floor
Suite 300
Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: 617-770-7676
FAX: 617-770-1987
TTY: 617-770-9499
Web: http://www.mass.gov/mddc
Disabilities Law Center, Inc. (DLC)
11 Beacon Street
Suite 925
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-723-8455
800-872-9992
TTY: 617-227-9464
FAX: 617-723-9125
Web: http://www.dlc-ma.org