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Information on Services
The Methuen Commission on Disabilities has neither the resources, nor the staff, to act as a referral agency for individual disability issues. Please use the information below for referral.
State Agencies
The following are links to state departments that provide information and services to those with particular disabilities. On most of these sites select the consumer tab to get information on services to the public.
Agencies:
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
- Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
- Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
- Massachusetts Office of Public Safety (Architectural Access Board)
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services: It has a page on funding sources for home modifications. The page is part of a comprehensive list of health related services for consumers, including the disabled. The Massachusetts Executive Office also provides a list of helplines for disabilities.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: It has prepared a brochure on Understanding Services for Children and Youth with Special Needs. The brochure can be accessed by visiting the Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs.
- The Shriver Center at UMASS Medical School: The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School has a rich history of supporting research, education, and service aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
- In April 2016, the Shriver Center presented, at the Nevins Library, a program on Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities. It was broadcast by MCTV and can be viewed in the Methuen TV Archive.
- Mass INDEX: Massachusetts Network of Information Providers for People with Disabilities: 800-642-0249
- This is a project of the Shriver Center. 'INDEX provides, to the public for free, information about programs, providers, and services for people with disabilities living in Massachusetts. INDEX recognizes that accurate information is a basic prerequisite for making informed decisions. We use our expertise in information technology, our experience in the field of disabilities, and our long history of collaborating with disability-related, non-profit and state agencies to provide people with disabilities and their families the necessary information they need to maximize their independence and productivity in our community.'
- There is a search engine that you can look up via keyword for services by disability, by town, or by provider. They also carry disability news, upcoming events, faq's on disability, and information on state agencies.
City Agencies
The following links will take you to the page on the city website. Although the names do not refer to the disabled, all offer services to the disabled. The senior center has many programs that would be of benefit to that population. The office of Emergency Management has information on retrofitting homes, Register with Smart 911 so emergency service providers know of your special medical or disability related needs during emergencies. The School Department of Student Services Department has information on special education services, including a link to the Methuen SEPAC - Special Education Parents Advisory Council.
- Methuen Housing Authority
- Methuen Council on Aging and Senior Center
- City of Methuen Emergency Management
Private Agencies
For a Listing of Disability Rights and Laws in Massachusetts, view the Massachusetts Office on Disability (PDF).
Northeast Independent Living Center
Independent Living Centers Local Chapter: Northeast Independent Living Program, Lawrence, 978-687-4388, 800-845-6457
From their web page: 'While various types and levels of disability each have their own unique challenges, we believe all persons with disabilities share the same struggle for the self-determination of their lives and an equal opportunity in society. Present in all of our work are a minimum of four basic core IL services: Peer Counseling, Skills Training, Advocacy, and Information and Referral.
In conjunction with the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. and Pentucket Medical, they publish the Green Book which has information on assistance for all aspects of living with a disability. Copies of this book are available at the senior center and at the reserve desk at the Nevins Memorial Library. The Green Book is also available online or using the following:
- The Green Book
- Haga Clic Aquí Para Ver El Libro Verde En Español (PDF)
Other Service Providers
Organizations covering a broad range of disabilities:
- Easter Seals: Massachusetts Chapter: 800-244-2756
- From their website: 'Easter Seals Massachusetts provides a variety of programs and services for children and adults with disabilities or special needs. Services may be offered in an individual's home, in the community or at our facility.' This includes information and referral, as well as some services.
- US Department of Labor - Office of Disability Employment Policy:
- This organization has a webpage with links to various federal pages related to programs for the disabled, such as benefits - including social security, civil rights - including the ADA, community life including Home and Community Based Services, education, including IEP's, employment, emergency preparedness, housing, health, including Healthcare.gov, Medicare and Medicaid, technology including assistive devices, and transportation.
- Disability Law Center:
- From their website: 'The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC receives federal, state and private funding but is not part of the state or federal government.
- Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change:
- "Our vision is one of empowerment for individual and family support that includes planning, choices and decision-making. The mission of MFOFC is to provide sustained advocacy and leadership training in pursuit of high quality, individualized community support and service options, including family support, for people with disabilities and their families." It has good links on services and advocacy.
- Equal Opportunity Publications
- Since 1968 Equal Opportunity Publications, Inc. (EOP) has led the way from affirmative action to diversity recruitment by publishing career-guidance and recruitment magazines for women, members of minority groups and people with disabilities. In April of 2017, EOP sponsored a Career Expo in Boston for people with disabilities. Their website offers free links to publications, articles, and information.
Organizations Related to Particular Disabilities & Diseases
These organizations vary in what they provide. Almost all appear, at first view, to be primarily about fundraising to assist medical research to end the condition. When you dig deeper, they also all provide information about the disease or disability to better understand it and advice about prevention, as in lung and heart diseases, or managing better living with the condition.
Only a few have referral services for assistance. Most have links for advocacy. All welcome volunteers. You can find the website for a specific disease or disability by typing it into your search engine. Some of these organizations are:
- AIDS/ HIV
Phone: 617-437-6200 - ALS (Lou Gehrig's)
Phone: 888-287-3257 - Alzheimer's
Phone: 800-272-3900 - Arthritis
Phone: 844-571-4357 - Brain Injury
Phone: 800-242-0030 - Cancer
Phone: 800-227-2345 and 508-270-4600 - Cerebral Palsy
Phone: 617-926-5480 - Cystic Fibrosis
Phone: 508-955-6000 and 800-344-4823 - Diabetes
Phone: 617-482-4580 and 800-342-2383 - Developmental Disabilities
Phone: 781-891-6270 - Epilepsy
Phone: 617-506-6041 and 800-332-1000 - Heart Disease
Phone: 800-242-8721 - Lung Disease
Phone: 800-586-4872 - Lupus
Phone: 866-484-3532 - Multiple Sclerosis
Phone: 800-344-8467 - Muscular Dystrophy
Phone: 800-572-1717 - Parkinson's Disease,
Phone: 617-638-8466 and 800-651-8466 - Spinal Cord Injury
Phone: 617-952-5643 - Stroke
Phone: 781-373-4500 and 888-478-7653 - National Organization for Rare Diseases
Phone: 617-249-7300