WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Massachusetts Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

Massachusetts has a comprehensive system of specialized services and supports to give individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities the opportunities to live the way they choose. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is the state agency that manages and oversees this service system. Every day these specialized services and supports are provided to approximately 32,000 adults with intellectual disabilities and children with developmental disabilities. The types of specialized services and supports include day supports, employment supports, residential supports, family supports, respite, and transportation. These services are provided through facilities and community-based state operated programs and by contracting with 235 private provider agencies.

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
500 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
Voice: 617-727-5608
Fax: 617-624-7577
TTY: 617-624-7783

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) provides comprehensive services to people with disabilities that will maximize their quality of life and economic self-sufficiency in the community. This is accomplished through multiple programs in the three service delivery areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Services (Independent Living), and Disability Determination Services. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission's Vocational Rehabilitation Program assists individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. Vocational rehabilitation services can often reduce or remove barriers to employment.

In Massachusetts the Extended Employment Program (EEP) provides services to people with the developmental disabilities who want to work. The EEP is a program of the Statewide Employment Services Department (SES) which is part of the Community Services Division of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). The goal of the EEP program is to provide flexibility and increased options for individuals with severe disabilities who have difficulty obtaining and sustaining employment. This program brings the worker closer to and possibly into a competitive employment setting.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Fort Point Place, Suite 600
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616

Phone: 617-204-3600 (voice) 800-245-6543 (TTY)
Toll Free: 800-245-6543
Fax: 617-727-1354

Sheltered Employment

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) oversees 44 day programs with 800 plus participants working in a sheltered environment. In Massachusetts the Extended Employment Program (EEP) provides services to people with the developmental disabilities who want to work. The EEP is a program of the Statewide Employment Services Department (SES) which is part of the Community Services Division of the MRC. The EEP offers the option of working in a sheltered environment.

MRC Statewide Employment Services Department
Administrative Offices, Fort Point Place
Suite 600
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616

Competitive Employment

The MRC Community-Based Supported Employment Services assists individuals with severe disabilities to identify, obtain, and maintain competitive employment in integrated settings. Competitive, integrated jobs in the community are provided through: assessment, job placement, individual employment supports, and extended services.

MRC Statewide Employment Services Department
Administrative Offices, Fort Point Place
Suite 600
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616

Health and Safety

The Division of Occupational Safety and OSHA have a Cooperative Consultation Agreement since 1975. The program provides consultation services to employers with the goal of preventing the occurrence of injuries and illnesses which may result from exposure to hazardous workplace conditions and from hazardous work practices.

Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
On-Site Consultation Program
1001 Watertown Street, 2nd Floor
West Newton, MA 02465
Phone: 617-969-7177
Fax: 617-727-4581

The Division of Occupational Safety in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development oversees the health and safety of public sector employees and investigates workplace conditions that relate to health hazards and occupational diseases.

Division of Occupational Safety
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
19 Staniford Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-626-6975
Fax: 617-626-6944

People with developmental disabilities working in non-sheltered employment in Massachusetts for a private sector employer are covered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are 3 Federal OSHA area offices are located in Massachusetts. Address and phone numbers can be found at their website .

North Boston Area Office
Shattuck Office Center
138 River Road, Suite 102
Andover, MA 01810
978-837-4460
Fax: 978-837-4455

South Boston Area Office
639 Granite Street, 4th Floor
Braintree, Massachusetts 02184
Phone: 617-565-6924
Fax: 617-565-6923

Springfield Area Office
1441 Main Street, Room 550
Springfield, Massachusetts 01103-1493
Phone: 413-785-0123
Fax: 413-785-0136

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

In Massachusetts, The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DDPC) offers a hotline that is manned 24 hours a day for reporting incidents of suspected abuse involving adults with disabilities. The DDPC staff will review each report of abuse and determine the response needed to ensure the safety of the individuals involved. Information gathered is entered into a database for review each time a subsequent report is made. An investigator is assigned to each call that meets the jurisdictional criteria. A member of the State Police reviews every report made to the hotline to determine whether a criminal investigation is necessary. Suspected criminal activity is reported to the appropriated District Attorney's Office.

Disabled Persons Protection Commission
300 Granite Street. Suite 404
Braintree, MA 02164
Phone: 617-727-6465
VTTY: 888-822-0350
Fax: 617-727-6469

Protection and Advocacy

Other sources of assistance for workers with developmental disabilities include:

Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council
1150 Hancock Street, 3rd Floor
Suite 300
Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: 617-770-7676
FAX: 617-770-1987
TTY: 617-770-9499

Disabilities Law Center, Inc. (DLC)
11 Beacon Street
Suite 925
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-723-8455
800-872-9992
TTY: 617-227-9464
FAX: 617-723-9125