Information on Services
Information and 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 click the CONSUMER tab to get information on services to the public.
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 here.The page is part of a comprehensive list of health related services for consumers, including the disabled, found here. The Massachusetts Executive Office also provides a list of helplines for disabilities, found here.
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 clicking Here or on the graphic below.
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. The Center’s website includes information on emergency preparedness and responsefor people with disabilities, click here.
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 their archive at: http://archive.methuentv.org/Video/2296
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 info 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 a means to register with the city in the event that a person's disabilities mean they need special consideration during emergencies.
Methuen Council on Aging and Senior Center
City of Methuen Emergency Management
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 availale online by clicking Here or on the graphic below.
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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.
Disability.gov is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.
From their website: ‘Disability.gov is the federal government website for comprehensive information on disability policies, programs and services in communities nationwide. The site links to thousands of resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations. Every day, new information is added across 10 main subject areas: Benefits, Civil Rights, Community Life, Education, Emergency Preparedness, Employment, Health, Housing, Technology and Transportation.'
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 and 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: www.aac.org, (617) 437-6200
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s): http://webma.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MA_homepage, (888) 287-3257
Alzheimer’s: www.alz.org/MANH/, (800) 272-3900
Arthritis: www.arthritis.org, (800) 766-9449
Brain Injury: http://www.biama.org/, (800) 242-0030
Cancer: www.cancer.org, (800) 227-2345, (781) 894-6633
Cerebral Palsy: www.ucpboston.org, (617) 926-5480
Cystic Fibrosis: www.cff.org, (508) 955-6000, (800) 966-0444
Diabetes: www.diabetes.org, (508) 482.4580, (800)342-2383
Developmental Disabilities: www.arcmass.org, (781) 891-6270
Epilepsy: http://www.epilepsynewengland.org/, (617) 506-6041, (800) 332-1000
Heart Disease: www.heart.org/HEARTORG/, (800) 242-8721
Lung Disease: www.lung.org, www.lungne.org, (202) 785-3355, (800) 499-5864
Lupus: www.lupus.org (800) 588-0121
Multiple Sclerosis: www.msnewengland.org, (781) 890-4490, (800) 344-8467
Muscular Dystrophy: http://www.mda.org/, (800) 572-1717
Parkinson's Disease: http://apdama.org/wcms/, (617) 638-8466, (800) 651-8466
Spinal Cord Injury: www.sciboston.com, (781) 933-8666
Stroke: www.strokeassociation.org, (781) 373-4500
National Organization for Rare Diseases: www.rarediseases.org, (617) 249-7300