Community Resources

Resources in the City of Boston for Students with Learning Disabilities

Department of Education - Special Education - Ages 3 - 21

States' departments of education oversee disability education services to children. It monitors school districts for compliance with IDEA and state special education regulations. The Department of Education handles formal complaints, due process hearings, and mediation on special education issues. 

Special Education Planning and Policy Development Office
Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023
Telephone: (781)338-3000, (781)338-3388

Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities

Services to children with disabilities include instruction, speech, physical, and occupational therapies. 

Birth - 2:
Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood and Special Health Needs
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617)624-5901
Toll Free: (800)905-8437 (Early Intervention Programs)
 

Programs for Children with Disabilities: Ages 3 - 5
Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street
Boston, MA 02210
Telephone: (617)988-6600
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Vocational rehabilitation services help people with disabilities live independent lives with education, support, and employment assistance. The department works with middle schools, high schools, and higher education to help students with disabilities access appropriate supports for employment and independence such as job coaching, teaching skills, support in job placement, assistive and adaptive supports, and more. 

State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Fort Point Place
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616
Toll Free Telephone: (800)245-6543 (Inside Massachusetts)
Telephone: (617)204-3600
State mental health agencies provide services to individuals and families dealing with mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse. Services include advocacy, nursing home screening, psychiatric services, intervention, coordination of treatment, case management, and more. 

Department of Mental Health
25 Staniford Street
Boston, MA 02114
Telephone: (617)626-8123
Disability Advocacy Services
Protection and advocacy offices offer information and referrals relating to disability issues, a resource database for self-advocacy, education and training in disability rights, and individual case advocacy. 

Protection and Advocacy Agency
Disability Law Center, Inc.
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free Telephone: (800)872-9992 (Voice Line) Telephone: (617)723-8455 Toll Free TTY Line: (800)381-0577 TTY Line: (617)227-9464

Lodgson, A. (n.d.).Massachusetts - Where to Find State Disability Assistance in Massachusetts. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/mp/tp/Massachusetts_Disability_help.htm.