MDDC - Resources by Emphasis

Name	Emphasis	Descriptions
Recreation and Sports for People with Disabilities Text only version	Recreation	Download a brochure listing state, regional and national organizations providing inclusive recreational activities for teens and young adults with disabilities.
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies	Child Care; State Resource	Resource and referral services for child care including families with children who have disabilities.
ARC Massachusetts	Community Supports	ARC is an advocacy group founded by parents in 1954, representing 80,000 people with specific developmental disabilities and working cooperatively with state and private affiliates to provide services and support.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities	Developmental Disability Council Support	NADDC's mission is to provide support and assistance to member councils in order to promote a consumer and family centered system of services and supports for those with disabilities.
Easter Seals Massachusetts	Disability Resource	Easter Seals provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on disability services and resources, plus referrals to all Easter Seals services and a wide variety of agencies/organizations statewide offering help to people with disabilities.
Exceptional Parent Magazine	Disability Resource	An on-line resource magazine for parents and families of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.
IDEA Practices	Disability Resource	The IDEA Partnerships are four national projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to deliver a common message about the landmark 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA legislation, litigation,best practices and more.
Epilepsy Foundation	Disability Resource	The Epilepsy Foundation helps ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences, and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, educational advocacy and services.
disAbility.gov	Disability Resource	General Information about Developmental Disabilities provided by the Federal Government.
American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR)	Disability Resource	On-line resource to access information about mental retardation and disabilities.
HEATH Resource Center	Disability Resource	The HEATH Resource Center of The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, is the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Support from the U.S. Department of Education enables the clearinghouse to serve as an information exchange about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.
The National Center on Secondary Education & Transition (NCSET)	Disability Resource	A new center on transition issues for youth with disabilities, funded by and a partner with the DOE and the Office of Special Education.
Access Letter	Disability Resource	A newsletter produced by Cambridge Commission for persons with disabilities
Adaptive Environments - New England ADA and Accessible IT Center	Disability Resource	The New England ADA & Accessible IT Center is one of ten regional disability and business technical assistance centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The Center is a project of Adaptive Environments, Inc., a nonprofit organization.
Impact Newsletter	Disability Resource; mental Health	Impact is a quarterly newsletter published by the Institute on Community Integration (UAP) and the Training Center on Community Living, College of education and Human Development, University of Minnesota.
The Arc	Disability Resource; Services	Foundation addresses issues related to rights, treatment, services and programs for children and adults with mental retardation and their families
Institute for Community Inclusion	Disability Resources; Independent Living	Supports the rights of children & adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community.
Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities	Disaster Planning	Disaster preparedness planning and checklist.
Asperger's Connection, The	Education	This interactive web site is intended to facilitate discussion among consumers, family members, professionals and legislators/policy makers interested in and concerned with issues that individuals with Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism face on a day to day basis.
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)	Education	A national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Special focus is from birth to 22 years old.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition	Education	To improve secondary education and transition results for youth with disabilities and their families.
Community Connections	Education	A website that gives the users quick access and creates affordable housing opportunities for the last 20 yrs; The information center of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
American Red Cross	Emergency Services	This organization fosters emergency preparedness.
Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities	Emergency Services	Emergency procedures for employees with disabilities.
Division of Employment and Training	Employment	Invests in Massachusetts business and employees through training and ensuring that MA. employers and workers are linked through a state network. Also provides economic data about Bay State to insure its future and provides between job assistance.
Resource Partnership	Employment	The Resource Partnership helps individuals with a wide range of abilities, and disabilities, to obtain, maintain and advance in employment, while providing a highly professional service to the business community.
Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change	Family Support	An organization to provide families, individuals and professionalsMassachusetts with local and worldwide disabillity resources and events; regional grouops run family leadership trainings.
Family Suppport Net	Family Support	This is a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts in Boston in partnership with Department of Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and (BMO's)
Administration on Developmental Disabilities	Federal Resource	The Administration on Developmental Disabilities(ADD) funds state councils in developmental disabilities to engage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities on behalf of people with disabilities.
Assisting People With Disabilities In a Disaster	Federal Resource	An organization whose mission it is to devise a plan of action and evacuation in a disaster situation, for people with disabilities.
Business Tax Incentives: Incentives to Employ Workers with Disabilities Receive Limited Use and Have an Uncertain Impact	Federal Resource	Report from the GAO on utilization of Business Tax Incentives for Workers with Disabilities
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research	Federal Resource; Disability Resource	National leader in sponsoring leadership for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individual sith disabilities from birth through adulthood.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency	Federal Resource; Disaster Planning; Emergency Services	Assisting people with disabilities in a disaster; providing assistance to people with disabilities, who, under normal circumstance, would need no assistance.
U.S. Department of Education Resource Organization Directory (EROD)	Federal Resource; Education	Directory to help identify and contact organizations that provide information and assistance on a broad range of education-related topics.
Employment and Training Agency of the Department of Labor - disAbility Online	Federal Resource; Employment	To help people with Developmental Disabilities to understand what technical assistance is provided by the One-Step Centers; provide leadership for public policy development, guidance regarding accessibility issues and accomodations.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission	Federal Resource; Employment	A resource of job opportunities, training, and information regarding equal employment.
Removing the Barriers	Federal Resource; Fire Safety and Education	A fire safety fact sheet for people with disabilities and their caregivers.
Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies	Federal Resource; Fire Safety and Education	Emergency procedures for employees with disabilities in office occupancies.
United States Fire Administration	Federal Resource; Fire Safety and Education	Emergency procedures for employees in office occupancy Fire safety for people with disabilities Checklist for mobility problems
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services	Federal Resource; Special Education	Support to parents and individuals, school districts and states in special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research.
U.S. Department of Justice's ADA Information Site	Federal Resource;Legal	Rights and Americans with Disabilities Act Information Line: 1-800-514-0301 and 1-800-514-0383
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA)	Federal Resources; Employment	To assure that more Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the workforce.
Fire Stops With You	Fire Safety and Education	A fire safety fact sheet for people with disabilities and their caregivers
Fire Safety for People with Disabilities	Fire Safety and Education	A checklist for people with mobility problems in a disaster situation.
National Fire Protection Association	Fire Safety and Education	Emergency Services
Disability Funding News	Funding	Federal grants, foundations, fund-raising information
Massachusetts Health Council	Health	Non-profit, non-partisan statewide organization of more than 150 government and volunteer agencies, consumer and advocacy groups, professional societies and private corporations committed to improving and protecting the health of the citizens, also making available a health care forum for health care leaders and fostering communication and cooperation among health care community.
Fannie Mae Foundation	Housing	Revitalizes neighborhoods
National Home of Your Own Alliance	Housing	Through a five year cooperative agreement with the Institute on Disabilities (IOD), the Administration on Developmental Disablities (ADD) created a technical assistance center, the National Home of your Own Alliance. This was based on a belief that non-traditional steams of income and federal, state and local subsidies could be structured to support homeownership for people historically excluded from housing market.
Mass Access Housing Registry	Housing	Registry is a free program that helps people with disabilities find rental housing in Mass. , the Mass. Access Database keeps track of assesible and affordable apartments throughout the state and maintains information about availability.
MassHousing Partnership Fund	Housing	The Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund (MHP) is a self-supporting state agency that promotes more stable and diverse neighborhoods in cities and towns across Massachusetts through the development and preservation of affordable housing.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development	Housing	Department of Housing and Urban Development was developed by the Act of 1965 as a cabinet level agency.
Disability Law Center	Legal	The Disability Law Center is a private, non-profit public interest law firm providing free Legal assistance and information to people with disabilities throughtout Massachusetts.
Library of Congress Thomas Service	Legal	Legislative information on the Internet
Disability Law Highlights from BU Pike Center	Legal	A service to provide information regarding current and pending federal legislation affecting people with disabilities by the Pike Center at the BU Law School.
Disabled Persons Protection Commission	Legal	The Disabled Persons Protection Commission's mission is to protect adults with disabilities from abusive acts and omissions of their caregivers through investigation, oversight, public awareness and prevention. Cooperates with DSS and Elder Affairs.
Disability Rights Project	Legal	Provides a centralized enforcement agency to enforce both federal and state laws applicable to disabilities.
Information on Medicaid and the Uninsured	Medical	From the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Prescription Advantage	Medical	A prescription plan backed bythe Commonwealth of Mass designed to provide Ma. Elders and younger residents with quality disability protection against high prescription costs, administered by Exeuctive Office of Elder Affairs.
Rewarding Work Resources, Inc.	Personal Care Assistants	A web site for elders, people with disabilities, and family members to find qualified personal assistants. Free trials are available. This is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that has been cited as a "Promising Practice" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Air Travel Service Problems	Security	This organization addresses concerns about airport security for passengers with disabilities.
Mass Advocates Standing Strong	Self-advocacy	Ma. Statewide self-advocacy organization
Federation for Children with Special Needs	Special Education	A center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (scroll to Environ. Health Assessment, then to program name)	State Resource, Quality Assurance	Prevention,screening,diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning with the intent to eliminate sources of poisoning through research
Governor's Commission on Mental Retardation	State Resource; Accountability	The Governor's Commission on Mental Retardation is a state commission mandated to examine the systemic issues impacting the quality and effectiveness of services to all people with mental retardation. Reviews policy and procedures. It has a12 volunteer commission members and 3 1/2 paid staff. It holds 2 public hearings annually.
Architectural Access Board	State Resource; Accountability	Regulatory agency within Executive Office of Public Safety developed to enforce regulations designed to make public buildings accessible and functional for safe use for persons with disabilities
Office of Child Care Services	State Resource; Child Care	Invests in children. Helps families improve the quality of child care.
Department of Social Services	State Resource; Child Care	Dedicated to permanency planning for the well-being of children who have been abused or neglected in a family setting. Family-based services; temporary out-of home care or alternate permanent situation, such as adoption, guardianship or independent living.
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council	State Resource; Education; Disability Resource	To provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion.
Statewide Emergency Telecommunication Board	State Resource; Emergency Services	Dial 911: save a life, stop a crime or report a fire.
State Office of Affirmative Action	State Resource; Employment	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Division of Health Care Finance and Policy	State Resource; Health	Repsonsible for health care information and pricing and regulatory functions, formerly known as the Rate Setting Commission, also administers the uncompensated care pool which reimburses hospitals and centers providing services for uninsured individuals.
Department of Public Health	State Resource; Health	Promotes healthy people, healthy families, healthy environments through compassionate care, education and prevention.
Executive Office of Health and Human Services	State Resource; Health	Providing leadership and oversight to 15 state agencies. Effective leadership in delivery of health and human services that promote health and safety, independence and quality of life for individuals, families and communities.
Masshousing	State Resource; Housing	State Agency overseeing housing issues
Department of Housing and Community Development	State Resource; Housing	State agency concerned with local issues and the community development of our cities and towns in Massachusetts
Independent Living Rehabilitation Services	State Resource; Independent Living	Services for anyone with severe physical/mental disability whose goal is to become independent or maintain independence in family and community
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission	State Resource; Independent Living	MRC assists individuals with disabilities to live independently and go to work. It serves individuals with all types of disabilities except those who are blind, because they are served through MCB.
Division of Medical Assistance	State Resource; Insurance	Administers Medicaid and children's health insurance program. Medicaid + CHP=Medicaid waiver programs.(fax) MassHealth and also Insurance Partnership for small business.
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination	State Resource; Legal	To ensure equality of opportunity by enforcing the Commonwealth's anti-discrimination laws, chapters 121B & 272 through the resolutions of complaints of discrimination in areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, services, credit and education.
Massachusetts Office on Disability	State Resource; Legal	To bring about full and equal protection of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The Commonwealth's" Americans with Disabilities Act" coordinating agency.
Executive Office for Administration and Finance	State Resource; Policies and Procedures	Provides state agencies with reliable administrative services and expertise in fiscal policies, information, technology, procurement and human resource.
Executive Office of Public Safety	State Resource; Public Safety	Executive Office of Public Safety is the planning and management arm of the Commonwealth's public safety efforts.
Office for Refugees and Immigrants	State Resource; Refugees and Immigrants	To assist refugees in adjusting to life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Offers programs, public advocates, coordination of state and federal services and works to make mainstream programs linguistically and culturally accessible.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind	State Resource; Rehabilitative Services	MCB's mission is to work in partnership with legally blind individuals to reach their goals of independence, and to participate in their communities.
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing	State Resource; Rehabilitative Services	A state agency mandated to provide leadership, coordination of public policies, and specialized services to ensure full and equal opportunities for the deaf and late deafened and hard of hearing persons.
Department of Mental Health	State Resource; Rehabilitative Services	This department sets the standards for the operation of mental health facilities and community residential programs, provides clinical rehabilitative amd supportive services for adults with serious mental illness and children and adolescents with serious mental illness and children and adolescents with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbances.
Department of Mental Retardation	State Resource; Rehabilitative Services	Offers a wide array of services to more than 29,786 individuals, who may require assistance in job placement, transportation, residential services, treatment; monitoring and care through state-operated programs and contracts with more than 265 private providers.
Department of Education	State Resource; Special Education	State Agency working with other Massachusetts school districts and other organizations to promote educational programs and services.
Special Education	State Resource; Special Education	Highlights issues and initiatives connected to Special Education
Department of Transitional Assistance	State Resource;Edu-lcation; Public Assistance	Formerly known as the Department of Public Welfare. This is an agency responsible for administering public assistance programs for needy citizens of the Commonwealth.
New England Index	Technical Services; Disability Resource	Information on disabilities, technical services, information and referral services, and technical assistance on programs.