Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

The goal of MRC services is to promote dignity for individuals with disabilities through employment and independent living in the community.
MRC's vision is to promote equality, empowerment and productive independence of individuals with disabilities.

Agency Programs and Divisions MRC is the agency of the Commonwealth responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Services, and eligibility determination for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefits programs for Massachusetts citizens with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Loan Program Launched to Benefit Mass. Residents with Disabilities The Massachusetts Assistive Technology (MA AT) Loan Program provides low-interest loans to qualified people with disabilities and their families to purchase assistive technology devices and services that will help them lead more independent lives. Examples of assistive technology include communications devices, specially adapted computers, Braille equipment, and hearing and vision aids.

Tri-CAP (Tri-City Community Action Program)

Tri-CAP: Working with Malden, Medford, Everett, and Surrounding Communities in Massachusetts. Tri-CAP has three major divisions:

• Energy Assistance
• Children and Family Services
• Advocacy and Community Services

In carrying out its mission, Tri-CAP treats all people with dignity, respect, and compassion. We listen carefully to the ideas, concerns, and beliefs of low income people before undertaking actions on issues which affect them. Tri-CAP has built a strong track record of successes based upon this philosophy and these commitments.

Feel free to browse the many programs and services Tri-CAP has to offer:

Computer Courses at the Cyber Café
Computer courses are offered at the Cyber Café @ Malden Square for a nominal fee. These courses are designed to teach basic skills in using a computer, office applications, and the Internet. You must pre-register at the Cyber Cafe and pay the fee or deposit at the time of registration. For more information, visit the Cyber Café website.

Energy Assistance
The Tri-CAP Fuel Assistance program serves residents of Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester, and Woburn. The Fuel Assistance program helps low-income homeowners and renters pay a portion of the cost of heating (oil, gas, electric, rent if heat is included in rent) their homes.

Children and Family Services
Head Start is a free child and family development program for low income families with preschoolers (ages 3-5) offering education, health services, social services, nutrition, parent involvement activities, mental health and services to those with disabilities.

Advocacy
Advocacy offers crisis intervention, education, information and referral to families and individuals seeking to meet their basic needs for shelter, income, clothing, and health care. Advocacy provides information and referral, clothing, and benefits and health care advocacy to all low income Tri-City residents.

In addition, the program provides housing counseling for people with HIV/AIDS and operates a Homeless Mobile Outreach Team which provides assistance to homeless individuals seeking housing, income, and mental health/substance abuse services. In 2005, Advocacy helped 707 families and individuals.

Pro Bono Legal Project
Free legal information, advice and sometimes representation for low-income residents of Malden, Everett, Medford, Melrose and Wakefield with non-fee generating civil legal cases. This means cases that a lawyer cannot get paid for. Most of our cases are:

• Eviction – We help Tenants and Landlords
• Family Law – We help mainly with divorces
• Debt Issues
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Appeals
• Other civil law issues

Shared Computer Tool Kit

For those operating computer labs in schools, libraries, technology centers or other public places, Microsoft has released a beta version of their Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP. (Download here.) The software is designed to allow administrators to stop tampering, prevent access to data residing on the computer or network disk space, create user profiles, and enable accessibility features for users.

Working While Disabled

Information
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.html

Social Security Administration
If you are a US citizen, are disabled, but still want to work (or if you know someone else who meets these criteria), the Social Security Administration provides infomation on how you can join the workforce and the impact that the move will have on your benefits and eligibility.

Health Care for All in Massachusetts

http://www.hcfama.org/

HEALTH CARE RESOURCES: Do you know what free resources are available to you? Do you know how to access these resources? Do you need legal support regarding your health care needs?

HEALTH CARE HELPLINE A FREE resource about Massachusetts health care that is available to all. Contact us either by phone or online.

Resources for Children Need help with insurance for your children? There are a few programs in Massachusetts for children, pregnant women, and families. Look through the programs in here to see if you qualify for any of them.

Resources for the Disabled There are different health care programs for disabled people in Massachusetts. Check out the programs here to learn more about health plans you might be eligible for.

Resources for Families Check out the programs here to see if your family is eligible for any of them. Some programs help pay the premiums for your insurance; other programs pay for health care directly.

Resources for Seniors There are special programs in Massachusetts for senior citizens. Check out the programs below to learn more about Medicare changes, prescription drug programs, and other health plans you might be eligible for.

Massachusetts Legal Services

MassLegalHelp.org provides information about your legal rights as a Massachusetts resident, written in plain English or Spanish.

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/cat/

Welcome to the Disability Section
This is a work in progress. Please let us know what you would like to see here or if you see anything that needs to be changed. Please direct your comments and questions to bsiegel@dlc-ma.org.

Resources
National Committee Of Parents And Advocates Organized To Protect Idea
12/14/2004
A letter to parents and advocates: On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004...This new law has many changes that are likely to affect how education services are delivered to students with disabilities.

Health Care Information
The information in this section covers ways you can access health care and helps you understand your health care rights.

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/cat/40

Your Housing Rights In Massachusetts
The housing section of this website has lots of information about tenants' rights in Massachusetts. You will find self-help forms, sample letters, booklets, handbooks, and frequently asked questions.

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/cat/43

Basic Public Benefits Information for Non-Lawyers

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/cat/61

Education

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/cat/228

The Massachusetts Work Force Training Fund

Express Program

Check out the details on the Express Program -- which businesses are eligible, the grant amounts available, and the policies governing the Express Program.

http://www.detma.org/workforceexpress.htm

How to Apply
Applications can be completed online.

Medline Plus

A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and Natiomal Institute of Health

http://www.medlineplus.gov/

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the USP DI® Advice for the Patient® ‡, a product of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).Browse by first letter of generic or Organizations in alphabetical order

Organizations grouped by health topic

Alzheimer's Disease Centers (National Institute on Aging)

Mental Health Services Locator (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinics and Services (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers Program (National Cancer Institute)

Parkinson's Research Centers (Parkinson's Disease Foundation)

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)