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Technical Assistance (TA)

MassMATCH TA Services

MassMATCH offers Technical Assistance (TA) to state and local agencies, as well as public and private organizations, seeking support with assistive technology (AT). Organizations that require guidance on AT implementation, accessibility solutions, or compliance with accommodation standards can contact MassMATCH for specialized assistance.

Previous TA support has included facilitating reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, providing training on ergonomic workstation accessibility, and coordinating videophone installations at Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) offices to enhance direct communication access for deaf individuals and their counselors.

MassMATCH’s TA staff works directly with organizations to assess equipment needs, develop customized AT strategies, and provide hands-on training to ensure that AT solutions are effectively integrated into their specific environments.

Please contact:

MassMATCH
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02212-1616

866-682-9955 (Toll Free)
617-204-3851 (Voice)
617-204-3887 (FAX)

Email: massmatch@state.ma.us

Employer TA from Massachusetts Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Employers of people with disabilities and employers considering hiring a person with a disability can get free technical assistance from Vocational Rehabilitation agencies in Massachusetts. Services available include:

  • Help complying with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
  • Help accessing IRS tax incentives available to employers of people with disabilities;
  • Disability awareness/sensitivity training;
  • No cost job placement services—help finding a qualified prescreened applicant for a vacant position;
  • Information about on-the-job training funds that can pay for an employee’s on-site training period.*
  • On-site consultations for how to modify/adapt the work environment to make it accessible for a particular employee or job applicant with a disability;*
  • Follow-up services to ensure success with accommodations and on-going productivity.*

*These services are available to employers of clients of the VR agencies only.

If you employ or are considering employing a person who is legally blind, please contact the Mass. Commission for the Blind’s VR program:

Boston MCB Office
48 Boylston Street
Boston Ma 02116-4718
Telephone: (617) 727-5550
VOICE (800) 392-6450 (MASS. ONLY)
VOICE (800) 392-6556 (MASS. ONLY)
TDD Fax: (617) 626-7685

Worcester MCB Office
390 Main Street Suite 620
Worcester, Ma 01608-2111
(508) 754-1148 VOICE
(800) 263-6944 (MASS ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 752-7832

Springfield MCB Office
436 Dwight Street Room
109 Springfield, Ma 01103
(413) 781-1290 VOICE
(800) 332-2772 (MASS. ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (413) 746-8570

New Bedford MCB Office
800 Purchase Street Suite 290
New Bedford, Ma. 02740-6344
(508) 993-6140 VOICE
(800) 989-4411 (MASS. ONLY) VOICE
Fax: (508) 992-4147

If you employ or are considering employing a person who has low vision or has another physical and/or mental disability, please contact:

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission VR program

(800) 245-6543

You may also call MAXIMUS at (866) 968-7842 (toll free English and Spanish) or (866) 833-2967 TTY.

Find your local MRC VR area office

Communication Access, Training, and Technology Services (CATTS)

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s (MCDHH) CATTS Department provides a range of free professional and educational in-services/presentations to other organizations, agencies, and businesses seeking to improve their effectiveness interacting with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. In-services on AT and “reasonable accommodation” are available as well as programs specifically geared for public agencies and medical offices. Read more about their TA services and request a training at the CATTS website.

CATTS Department

MCDHH Main Office

150 Mount Vernon Street, Suite 550

Dorchester, MA 02125-3115

617-740-1699 (FAX)

617-740-1668 (VOICE)

617-740-1768 (TTY)

Videophone:
Dial 617-740-1800 or use the following IP address: 70.22.152.162

MCDHH Western Regional Office

Springfield State Office Building

436 Dwight Street, Suite 204

Springfield, MA 01103-1317

413-731-5177 (FAX)

413-788-6427 (V/TTY)

Videophone:
Dial 413-788-6427 or use the following IP address: 70.109.254.98

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN is a free service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. JAN provides free consulting services to employers and employees including individualized work site accommodations solutions, technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, tax incentives, and information about self-employment options for people with disabilities. JAN is accessible by phone, fax, postal mail, or email. Most calls are routed to one of JAN’s four specialty teams. These teams include the Motor/Mobility Team, the Sensory Team, the Cognitive/Psychiatric Team, or the Small Business Self-Employment Team. They are staffed by professional Human Factor Consultants experienced in the field of rehabilitation. JAN’s office hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday. Learn more at the JAN website.

Job Accommodation Network
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080

800-526-7234 (V) in the United States
800-ADA-WORK (V) in the United States
877-781-9403 (TTY)
304-293-7186 (V)

304-293-5407 (FAX)

email JAN

PEPNet-Northeast Regional Center

PEPNet, or Postsecondary Education Programs Network, supports colleges and postsecondary institutions in enhancing accessibility for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. PEPNet regional centers provide outreach, training, and technical assistance, helping institutions develop or improve services for these students.

PEPNet-Northeast, based at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), offers workshops, regional conferences, informational guides, and consultations to assist postsecondary programs. The center focuses on strategies for:

  • Academic preparation
  • Interpreting services
  • Note-taking support
  • Teaching English, math, and science
  • Tutoring methods
  • Classroom technology integration

PEPNet-Northeast is one of four regional centers working collaboratively to provide nationwide technical assistance. The program operates under a five-year, $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring institutions have the resources they need to foster inclusive learning environments. Read more at the PEPNet-Northeast website.

Dianne K. Brooks, director

52 Lomb Memorial Drive

Rochester, NY 14623-5604

585-475-6433 (V/TTY)

585-475-7660 (Fax)

Email: pepnetnortheast@rit.edu