Glossary
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a program designed to help people who are legally blind achieve their employment goals. Services under VR may include career counseling, job training, assistive technology, and job placement assistance. The goal is to support people in securing, retaining, or advancing in competitive employment.
Social Rehabilitation (SR)
Social Rehabilitation (SR) focuses on helping people who are legally blind develop the skills necessary for independent living and community participation. Services under SR may include orientation and mobility training, independent living skills instruction, and peer support. The goal is to enhance the quality of life and increase self-sufficiency for people who are legally blind.
Certificate of Blindness (COB)
A Certificate of Blindness (COB) certifies the holder is registered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB). A COB may be requested to verify legal blindness for various purposes, including applying for tax exemptions and accessing certain services or benefits related to blindness. A COB is valid for one year from the date of issue. Request a COB
MCB Identification (ID) Card
The MCB Identification (ID) Card certifies the holder is legally blind and registered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB). Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 6, § 135, any person or business that accepts a driver’s license for identification purposes in granting credit or cashing checks must accept the MCB ID Card in the same manner. The MCB ID Card expires five years from the date of issue. Request an MCB ID Card
Time Periods
Federal Fiscal Year
The federal fiscal year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year.
State Fiscal Year
In Massachusetts, the state fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year.
Calendar Year
The calendar year is the 12-month period that starts on January 1 and ends on December 31.
Note: This interactive dashboard is intended for informational purposes for people interested in learning more about the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB). The data presented may vary slightly from other MCB reports due to differences in publication dates, included data, and minor corrections made over time.
To protect the confidentiality of the people we serve, queries yielding fewer than ten results will be represented as "ten or less" in the dashboard.
The dashboard data will be updated monthly.