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COVID-19 Resources for the MCB Community

Information and resources to help MCB consumers respond to COVID-19

Please refer to the following resources and announcements for information on the coronavirus (COVID-19).

For the latest updates from Commissioner David D'Arcangelo, watch and listen on YouTube. 

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Table of Contents

Massachusetts Resources

Resources for Individuals at Home (DDS) 
Coronavirus Visual Tools (MCDHH) 
COVID-19 Support Guide (BMC Health System Thrive Directory) 
COVID-19 Guidance and Directives (Includes PPE Guidance for Providers/Programs) 
COVID-19 Public Resources MA Map (MEMA) 
Mass Legal Help and Stimulus Payment Info (Massachusetts Law Reform Institute) 
Emergency Preparedness Kit for Individuals who are Blind and Visually Impaired (DOCX 58.08 KB)

Reopening Massachusetts

Reopening Massachusetts (Audio Version per TIC) 
Phase 2 Reopening Message from MCB Commissioner D'Arcangelo (MP3 2.59 MB)

News and Announcements

MA – Governor Baker Declares State of Emergency to Support Commonwealth’s Response to Coronavirus (March 10) 
COVID-19 Federal Disaster Declaration 
MCB Commissioner D'Arcangelo on TIC Low Vision Support Group 4/13/20 
Letter from MCB Commissioner D'Arcangelo to Consumers - 3.28.20 (PDF 111.97 KB)

Educational Resources for Individuals and Pre-ETS Students

Free JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion (Freedom Scientific) 
HumanWare Buddy App and More (HumanWare) 
Free Access to Digital Curriculum (ObjectiveEd) 
National Homework Hotline (Paths to Literacy) 
Massachusetts Special Needs Virtual Events (MSPED) 
Free App for High School Students (Blind Abilities) 

COVID-19 Orientation & Mobility Tips and Techniques

PSA with TIC from O&M Director Meg Robertson 
Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques (MCB/DDS) 
Keeping Glasses, Canes, Visual Aids, Cell Phones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized (MCB/DDS) 
MCB COVID-19 Adaptive Guide Tips & Advice (PDF 137.68 KB)

MCB Five Tips for Face Mask Safety during COVID-19 for People who are Blind and Visually Impaired (DOC 64 KB)
Face Mask Safety - Audio Message from MCB Orientation and Mobility Director Meg Robertson (MP3 7.16 MB)

Radio Reading Services

TIC Network 
Valley Eye Radio 
Audio Journal 
Audible Local Ledger 
Berkshire Talking Chronicle 
Lowell Association for the Blind (L.A.B.) 

Food Resources

Greater Boston Food Bank 
Foodbank of Western MA 
Worcester County Food Bank 
Food Resources in Franklin, MA 
Mass Food Delivery 
Sunderland Farm Collaborative 
Mill City Grows 
REC Mobile Farmers Market Worcester 
Project Bread 

Additional Information and Resources

Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users: Precautions for COVID-19 (Beneficial Designs) (PDF 896.65 KB)
What is Social Distancing? Factsheet (University of Alabama) 
Accessible COVID-19 Statistics Tracker 
What You Need to Know About Handwashing (CDC) 
When and How to Use Masks (WHO) 
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists) 
COVID-19 and Vision Loss Podcast (Hadley) 
Staying Connected during Coronavirus (Comcast) 
Remote Training Resources (OIB-TAC) 
Medically Informed Yoga (Free Audio Files) 
Games for Amazon's Alexa Voice Service 
Freedom Scientific - Zoom Conferencing and JAWS - Audio File 
COVID-19 Guidance for Older Adults (CDC) 
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