For people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened or Oral Deaf
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
Need funding for a hearing aid or other related AT? MCDHH (at Mass.gov) provides this AT Web page with numerous useful resource links including: “Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids” (public and private sources), and “Hearing Aid Purchase Plan/Financing Information.”
Independent Living Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHILS)
DHILS may provide loans of assistive communication equipment, (i.e. TTYs and assistive listening devices), loans of environmental alert systems, and help with applying for funding for needed AT. Under certain conditions DHILS can also assist with a hearing aid purchase. Read more.
DHILS Assistive Technology Services
Title VII Part B federal funding is available to DHILS (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services) programs, which provide independent living support to Deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing individuals. DHILS programs across Massachusetts receive these funds, administered by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC).
Title VII Part B funding is a modest resource for assistive technology (AT) designed to help Deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing individuals live independently at home and in the community. Unfortunately, due to limited funding, there can sometimes be a significant waiting list for this assistance.
Individuals who have private insurance or Medicaid should first use those sources for durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, scooters, or other medically necessary devices. If an Independent Living Specialist suspects an item may be medically necessary (equipment for mobility, seating, positioning, or speech prostheses are usually medically necessary), the specialist will refer the case to MassHealth.
Who is Eligible?
Any person who is Deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing is eligible for DHILS services.
How are Services Provided?
DHILS programs employ staff who themselves are Deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing, creating a peer-support environment. Independent Living Specialists work directly with Deaf, late-deafened, and hard of hearing individuals to identify needed services. Specialists develop Independent Living Plans (ILP) and coordinate the provision of identified assistive technology or services.
What AT is Provided?
DHILS may loan assistive communication equipment, such as TTYs and assistive listening devices. They may also loan environmental alert systems or assist individuals in applying for funds to purchase AT. Additionally, DHILS programs can help consumers apply for funding to buy assistive technology. DHILS may also support consumers in accessing financial resources for obtaining AT devices.
Contact:
Boston Metro Region:
Allston D.E.A.F., Inc.
215 Brighton Ave.
Allston, MA 02134
www.deafinconline.org
(617) 254-4041 TTY/Voice
(617) 254-7091 Fax
Contact: Carol Hilbinger
Email: info@deafinconline.org
Metro West Region:
Center for Living & Working
24 Union Avenue, Suite 4
Framingham, MA 01702
www.centerlw.org
(508) 755-1003 TTY/Voice
(888) 773-4281 FAX
Contact: Joan Philip
Southeast Region:
D.E.A.F., Inc.
c/o United Way
105 Williams Street
2nd Floor, Room 25
New Bedford, MA 02740
www.deafinconline.org
(508) 990-1382 TTY/Voice
(508) 996-2170 FAX
DHILS Services
Contact: Carol Hilbinger
Email: info@deafinconline.org
Regional Contact: Pauline Raiche
Email: praiche@deafinconline.org
Cape Organized for the Rights of the Disabled (CORD)
1019 Lyanough Rd. #4
Rt. 132
Hyannis, MA 02601
www.cilcapecod.org
(508) 775-8300 TTY/Voice
(508) 775-7022 Fax
Contact: Theresa Quin
Email: tmurphy@cape.com
Northeast Region:
Northeast Independent Living Program
20 Ballard Road
Lawrence, MA 01843
www.nilp.org
(978) 687-4288 TTY/Voice
(978) 689-4488 Fax
Contact: Madaline Olio
Email: info@nilp.org
D.E.A.F., Inc.
Greater North Shore
35 Congress Street, Suite204
Salem, MA 01970
www.deafinconline.org
978-740-0394 TTY
978-740-0329 Voice
978-740-0389 Fax
DHILS Services and Regional Contact: Carol Hilbinger
Email: info@deafinconline.org
Southeast Region:
D.E.A.F., Inc.
Southeast Region
66 Main Street
Taunton, MA 02789
www.deafinconline.org
DHILS Services Contact: Carol Hilbinger
Email: info@deafinconline.org
Central and Western Region:
Center for Living & Working
484 Main Street, Suite 340
Worcester, MA 01608
www.centerlw.org
508-755-1003 TTY/Voice
508-755-1072 Fax
Contact: Joan Philip
Stavros Center for Independent Living
262 Cottage Street
Springfield, MA 01104
www.stavros.org
413-781-5555 TTY/Voice
413-733-5473 Fax
Contact: Paul Batch
Email: pbatch@stavros.org
AdLib Center for Independent Living
215 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
www.adlibcil.org
413-442-7047 V/TTY
413-443-4338 Fax
Contact: Ginger Jee
Email: gjee@adlibcil.org
vp: 866.639.1439
Department of Interpreter/CART Referral Services
Access to sign language interpreter services and other interpreter/transliterator services, including Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART); the Department also maintains a fund for the purchase of interpreter and CART services for situations in which no one is legally responsible to pay for the service. Read more.
MCDHH provides a statewide interpreter referral service. Under state law (M.G.L. Chapter 6§196), MCDHH is required to “maintain and coordinate a statewide Interpreter Referral Service for use by any public and private agencies and individuals for any situation including emergencies.” This is a unique service. Most states do not have a centralized resource of this type. The Interpreter/CART Referral Department also provides advocacy for anyone who needs interpreter services but is having difficulty obtaining them from an organization, business, or other legally responsible entity.
Who is Eligible?
Anyone requiring interpreter or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) referral services can access them through the Department (there are no income guidelines). However, the “requester” should typically be the entity legally responsible for payment (such as a doctor’s office or employer). When no legally responsible entity exists, requests for interpreter services are made directly by the consumers themselves.
How are AT Services Provided?
The Department maintains a roster of screened or certified interpreters and CART providers (independent contractors). “Screened” means MCDHH has determined these individuals meet established standards for interpretation within Massachusetts. These providers are contacted by the Interpreter/CART Referral Department to fulfill incoming service requests. The Department attempts to accommodate consumer preferences for specific interpreters and communication styles whenever possible. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance to allow enough time to locate appropriate and available interpreter or CART providers. MCDHH receives over 2,000 requests monthly and may not always be able to fulfill every request.
What AT Services are Provided:
The Commission offers referral services to address diverse communication needs of consumers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Late Deafened in various settings, including medical, mental health, legal, educational, employment, recreational, and social service environments. The referral service also provides After Hours Emergency Interpreter Services. Referrals are available for sign language, spoken English, oral, tactile, and close vision interpreting, as well as CART services.
In most cases, the Department does not cover the costs for interpreter or CART services, since employers, public and private agencies, healthcare providers, private businesses, and other organizations are responsible for providing reasonable accommodation under the ADA. However, in situations where no entity is legally responsible to pay (such as religious services or support groups), the Department maintains a small Community Fund to cover interpreter and CART services. Interpreters bill MCDHH directly for Community Fund assignments. MCDHH approves requests from the Community Fund depending on available funding.
Contact:
Interpreter/CART Referral Services:
617-740-1600 Voice
617-740-1700 TTY
617-740-1880 Fax
Toll Free: 800-530-7570 TTY
Toll Free: 800-882-1155 Voice
Hours: 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
www.mass.gov/mcdhh
Videophone:
Dial (617) 265-8447
or use the following IP
address: 70.22.152.162
Emergency Interpreter/CART Service Requests:
1-800-249-9949 TTY/Voice