Massachusetts Office on Disability

Government Services

Myra Berloff, Director

Myra Berloff, Director

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The Government Services program works to ensure that Massachusetts’ policies and practices are consistent with state and federal laws.  This unit works with other facets of state government on behalf of the needs of people with disabilities to resolve problems before they turn to crises.  Some of those activities are described below.

Governor's Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy: This Commission was created by Executive Order 351. It has met since late 1994. The Commission is comprised of consumers and family members with direct experience and expertise in the disability service system. Its goal is an efficient, unduplicated service system. It acts to: 

• Establish a formal mechanism through which people with disabilities lend their input, experience and advice to the Governor on the development and implementation of public policy.  

• Provide guidance, from a consumer perspective, on the design and delivery of services and assistance to people with disabilities

• Coordinate with the Interagency Council.

Commission members include: Vinnie Adamski, Gloria Castillo, Judi Chamberlin, Lucie Chansky, Kim Charlson, Kevin Feeney, June P. Hailer, Ben Haynes, Paul Kahn, Rosemary Larking, Linda Long (Co-Chair), Martha McCuller, Jean Ann McLaughlin, Nancy Shine, Kathleen Simpson (Co-Chair). 

Inter-Agency Disability Services Coordinating Council (Myra Berloff, Chair): This Council was created by Executive Order 352. It has met since late 1994. Heads of agencies providing disability or disability related services comprise this body. The Council serves to:  

• Improve the accessibility and delivery of services;

• Evaluate and monitor the system by which services are delivered and coordinate and develop recommendations for streamlining;

• Identify functions which would be more efficient if consolidated or eliminated.

• Make recommendations and report to the Governor from time to time.

• Coordinate with the Governors Special Commission on Disability Policy.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) State Coordinator: MOD is the designated agency which coordinates the Commonwealth's efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (A&F Administrative Bulletin No. 7.)  It is the touchstone within government for technical assistance, trouble-shooting and advice on all disability related issues. All entities of state government are required to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, entities of state and local government are required to make all their programs, activities and services accessible. This includes both physical access for people who have mobility impairments and communication access for people with vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities.  MOD maintains lists of individuals assigned to be ADA coordinators in state agencies and in each municipality. 

MOD is a designated State Affiliate of the New England ADA & Accessible IT Center.

Other Key Boards and Commissions

• Architectural Access Board

• Division of Medical Assistance’s Personal Care Memorandum of Understanding Working Group

• Statewide Personal Care Attendant Coalition

• Department of Capital Asset Management’s Court Access Project Committee

• Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Council

• Rehabilitation Council of Mass Rehab Commission

• Rehabilitation Council of Mass Commission for the Blind

• Mass. Enterprise Security Board, through Information Technology Division

• New England ADA and IT Technical Assistance Center Board

• Mass. Emergency Telecommunications Board  

• Developmental Disabilities Council

• Statewide Independent Living Council

• Dept. of Public Health Office of Health and Disability

• Metropolitan Planning Council – Public Involvement Working Group

• Citizens Planning & Housing Association (CHAPA)

• Massachusetts Coalition of Emergency Shelter Providers 

• Governor's Commission on Employment of the Disabled

Cooperative on-going efforts with other agencies

• Department of Capital Asset Management - Access to courts project

• Administrative Office of the Trial Courts - Access to courts project

• Mass Rehabilitation Commission -  Rehabilitation Council

• Mass Commission for the Blind - Rehabilitation Council

• Division of Medical Assistance - PCA Memorandum of Understanding Working Group 

• Office of the Secretary of State - Voting Access

• Office of the Attorney General - Disability Rights Project

• Mass Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Interagency Advisory Group
  

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