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Advocacy for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

Organizations

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Independent Living Programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHILS)
DHILS programs receive both public and private funding to support a wide range of independent living services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. These programs offer advocacy assistance, self-advocacy training, skills development, and peer mentoring. Some DHILS programs also provide limited funding for assistive technology devices and services, as well as access to loaner equipment. There are 10 community-based locations statewide.

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.cordonline.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: Kris Glennie
Email: Knie@adlibcil.org

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)

MCDHH is a small but specialized state agency within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Its primary role is to provide advocacy and communication access services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing while advising the Governor and Legislature on related issues and potential solutions. The Commission also works to ensure ADA communication access compliance across both public and private sectors. Additionally, MCDHH offers case management services for adults and children, helping them navigate state and public agency programs they qualify for, including health, welfare, independent living, employment, and education services.

If you need advocacy for assistive technology (AT) services, MCDHH has several departments that can help:

  • Department of Interpreter/CART Services – Provides advocacy for individuals needing interpreter services, whether in sign language or another communication format, as well as CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) services. If you face difficulties obtaining reasonable accommodation from an organization, business, or other legally responsible entity, this department can assist.
  • Communication Access Training and Technology (CATTS) Department – Focuses on ADA communication access compliance by offering training and technical support to organizations, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, medical centers, and state agencies. CATTS also assists employees with hearing loss who require workplace accommodations, providing site compliance evaluations, equipment reviews, technical recommendations, and troubleshooting as needed. The department offers both individuals and organizations guidance on assistive technology options.
  • Case Management and Social Services Department – Offers case advocacy, assistance, and support in securing funding for assistive technology, including through local school departments. This department also manages the MCDHH Assistive Technology Fund, which serves as a last-resort funding source for individuals who have been denied AT services from other programs.

Contact:

MCDHH
150 Mount Vernon Street
Suite 550
Dorchester, MA 02125
www.mass.gov/mcdhh
(617) 740-1600 Voice
(617) 740-1700 TTY
(617) 740-1880 Fax
(800) 530-7570 TTY
(800) 882-1155 Voice

Videophone:
Dial (617) 265-8447
or use the following IP
address: 70.22.152.162

Emergency requests for interpreter or CART service (medical, mental health, and legal) are received 24 hours 7 days/week at:
(800) 249-9949 TTY/VOICE.