Benefits For People Who Are Legally Blind

Consumers registered with MCB are eligible for the benefits listed below.

Certificate of Blindness (COB)

A Certificate of Blindness (COB) certifies the consumer is registered with MCB and may be requested to verify legal blindness for various purposes including applying for tax exemptions.

To request a COB:

• Contact the consumer’s MCB counselor
• Email the MCB Blindness Registry at [e-mail]
• Call the MCB Blindness Registry at 617-626-7415
• Complete the MCB Certificate of Blindness Request Form

A COB expires one year from the Date of Issue.

MCB Identification Card

MCB issues an Identification Card which certifies the holder is legally blind and registered with the agency. Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 6, § 135, any person or business who accepts a driver’s license for the purpose of identification in granting credit or cashing checks must accept the MCB Identification Card in the same way.

The MCB Identification Card does not meet all the requirements of the REAL ID Act. As of May 7, 2025, United States travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

To request an MCB Identification Card:

• Contact the consumer’s MCB counselor
• Email the MCB Blindness Registry at [e-mail]
• Call the MCB Blindness Registry at 617-626-7415
• Complete the MCB Certificate of Blindness Request Form

The MCB Identification Card expires five years from the Date of Issue.

Pharmacy

The MCB Identification Card is an acceptable form of customer identification to pick up controlled substance prescriptions from a pharmacy.

Further details on identification requirements can be found on pages 67 and 68 of the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program Data Submission Guide for Dispensers.

Income Tax Exemptions and Deductions

Consumers may be entitled to federal and state income tax exemptions and deductions. When filing tax returns, a current Certificate of Blindness, MCB Identification Card, or other medical evidence may be required for verification purposes if an exemption or deduction is claimed.

Real Estate Tax Exemption

Consumers may be eligible for a property tax exemption on a home they own and reside in. As the amount of the exemption varies, contact the local assessor’s office for further details. A current Certificate of Blindness or MCB Identification Card may be submitted for proof of legal blindness.

Automobile Excise Tax Exemption

Consumers may be eligible for an excise tax exemption on a vehicle registered in their name. To apply for this exemption, contact the local tax department. A current Certificate of Blindness or MCB Identification Card may be submitted for proof of legal blindness.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) & Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) has special rules that allow people who are blind or visually impaired to receive benefits when they are unable to work. SSA pays the benefits under two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Although the medical rules SSA uses to decide whether a person is blind are the same for each program, other rules are different.

Download the SSA publication, "If You're Blind or Have Low Vision - How We Can Help"

Specialized Telephone Equipment Program

Consumers may be eligible for a specialized telephone through the Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP). Depending on the consumer’s income level, the telephone may be free or come at a reduced cost. MassEDP provides a landline phone or a wireless device.  MassEDP does not cover the cost of the service plan for wireless devices.

For more information regarding MassEDP, including eligibility, contact MassEDP:

• Phone: [phone]
• Visit: mass.gov/edp

Download the MassEDP application

Disability Plates and Placards

Consumers are eligible for disability plates and placards offered by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Disability plates and placards allow people with disabilities to park vehicles in designated handicap parking spaces. They also allow people with disabilities to park at meters without paying fees or penalties. Disability license plates are issued for cars and motorcycles. Placards are displayed on the rear-view mirror and are issued to qualified residents on a temporary or permanent basis.

• Disability Placard
  • No fee is required for a placard.
  • The person who is disabled is not required to have a vehicle registered in their name.
• Disability Plate
  • Registration fees apply. 
  • Only issued to a person who is primary owner with vehicle registered in their name.

For more information, contact the RMV:

• Phone: (RMV Medical Affairs): 857-368-8020
• Visit mass.gov/rmv

Download the Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate

A Certificate of Blindness can substitute a healthcare provider’s certification for the application.

Note: Consumers are required to surrender their Massachusetts driver’s license. MCB is legally required to notify the RMV of all cases of legal blindness.

MBTA Blind Access CharlieCard 

Consumers, as well as an accompanying guide, can ride most MBTA services for free with a Blind Access CharlieCard. These cards are valid for five years.

Consumers can apply for a new, renewal, or replacement Blind Access CharlieCard online or at the CharlieCard Store.

• Apply online for a MBTA Blind Access CharlieCard

Consumers can also replace a lost, stolen, or expired Blind Access CharlieCard by contacting MBTA Customer Support:

• Phone: [phone]
• Email via mbta.com/customer-support

The RIDE

The RIDE paratransit service provides door-to-door, shared-ride public transportation to people who can’t use the subway, bus, or trolley all or some of the time due to temporary or permanent disability.

The RIDE is available year-round in 58 cities and towns in the greater Boston area, with similar operating hours to the MBTA – generally from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Customers schedule their trips on The RIDE one to five days in advance and are given a pick-up window for their ride’s arrival. Travel times are comparable to the same trip taken on fixed-route transit (bus, subway, or trolley) plus an additional 20 minutes. Like other public transit services, The RIDE is a shared service, so riders travel with other customers going in the same general direction.

Learn how to apply for The RIDE

MBTA Mobility Center

The Mobility Center, located at 1000 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, is available to anyone looking to explore accessible transit options and other community transport resources.

For more information, contact the Mobility Center:

• Phone: [phone]
• Visit MBTA Mobility Center website

Other Regional Transportation

15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) provide fixed-route and paratransit service in communities across Massachusetts.

Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for discounted fares when riding the fixed route. Transit authorities are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide paratransit service under certain circumstances. ADA paratransit is an eligibility-based service for people whose disabilities sometimes or always prevent them from using the fixed route and who are traveling in an area served by fixed route service. However, some transit authorities also provide additional paratransit services above and beyond what is federally required.

Many councils on aging in Massachusetts also offer transportation services to people with disabilities in addition to elders.

 

• Find your council on aging

 

Learn about the types of services transit authorities offer and which municipalities are members of each transit authority

• Visit Public Transporation in Massachusetts

Voting Rights

Massachusetts is committed to making voting accessible for all voters. The Secretary of the Commonwealth checks each polling place to make sure it meets state accessibility regulations, in addition to training poll workers on assisting voters with disabilities. Please contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division if you have suggestions about how to improve accessibility.

• Phone: [phone]-VOTE (8683)
• TTY: 1-800-720-3480
• Email: [e-mail]

Talking Book Libraries

The Perkins and Worcester libraries provide free access to books, newspapers, and publications in digital audio, large print, and braille formats, loan playback equipment, as well as audio-described movies, and the Newsline talking newspaper service, to thousands of registered borrowers across Massachusetts who are unable to read print materials due to vision loss, physical, or reading disabilities.

Applications for service and disability eligibility must be certified by any of the following: rehabilitation or medical professionals, ophthalmologist, optometrist, educator, social worker, case manager, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, reading specialist, school psychologist, superintendent, or librarian, and/or professional staff of schools, hospitals, clinics, or state or private agencies.

To obtain an application for free library services, call or email:

Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library

• Phone: [phone]

• Email: [e-mail]

• Visit www.perkinslibrary.org

Worcester Talking Book Library

• Phone: [phone]

• Email: [e-mail]

• Visit talkingbook.mywpl.org

Massachusetts Audio Information Network

The Massachusetts Audio Information Network is a group of six Massachusetts non-profit radio reading service organizations. Each organization provides the reading of material to ensure important local news and information is accessible for people who are unable to read print materials due to vision loss, physical, or reading disabilities.

The materials read include newspapers, magazines, books, and community announcements. The radio reading service is available by phone, Internet (each station’s website), smart speakers (Alexa and Google), mobile apps for iPhone and Android, podcasting, local community access television stations, and specialized radio receivers – all at no cost to listeners.

MAIN organizations are funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, grants from local foundations, and businesses and individual donations.

Each MAIN organization operates independently. For more information regarding this service or to volunteer, please contact one of the organizations directly.

Audible Local Ledger (Mashpee)

• Phone: [phone]

Audio Journal (Worcester)

• Phone: [phone]

Berkshire Talking Chronicle (Pittsfield)

• Phone: [phone]

Lowell Association for the Blind (Lowell)

• Phone: [phone]

Talking Information Center (Marshfield)

• Phone: [phone]

Valley Eye Radio (Springfield)

• Phone: [phone]

Housing

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind does not provide housing. Housing-related inquiries should be directed to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities or a local housing authority.