Helpful Links
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Contact: DMR Area Office: Merrimack Valley Area Director: Edward Fitzgerald; Asst. Area Director: Ken Moran: Turning 22 Human Service Coordinator: Sue Day-McIntyre; Child Adolescent Human Service Coordinator Yovani Martinez; Intake Eligibility Coordinator: 978 774-5000 ext 850
280 Merrimack Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 521-9432
TTY Phone: (978) 521-4391
The Department is dedicated to creating, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities.
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley
280 Merrimack Street #400, Lawrence, MA 01843; 978-683-7747
List of accessible public accommodations ; helpful information for businesses and residents - top 10 MAAB regulation codes & links. Information from the IRS and city tax assessor about tax incentives for businesses and residents. ESMV’s resource manual, entitled “The Green Book” is very well known in the Merrimack Valley community. This manual is published every two years, and is utilized by consumers, caregivers and social service professionals in the area. Last year, the Green Book was revised to include disability resources, in cooperation with NILP. This change was very well received in the community. ESMV and NILP remain committed to including disability resources in future editions of the Green Book in the community. ESMV and NILP remain committed to including disability resources in future editions of the Green Book.
Home Modification Program
A state-funded program that provides loans to eligible residents to make necessary modifications in their home allowing them to live independently. 617-204-3739
Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB)
One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108; 617-727-0660.
Develops and enforces regulations to ensure that public spaces and establishments are accessible and safe for persons with disability. To carry out the board's mandate, the "Rules and Regulations", which appear in the code of Massachusetts Regulations as 521 CMR 1.00, have been developed and amended. These regulations are incorporated in the Massachusetts building code as a "specialized code", making them enforceable by all local and state building inspectors, as well as by the Board itself.
MAB Community Services
617-926-4232 or 800-852-3029 (toll-free in MA only)
Groups meet monthly, 10 times per year, including the Senior Connection.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
MCB Boston Office, 600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, 617-727-5550.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)MCB provides the highest quality rehabilitation and social services to blind and low vision individuals, leading to independence and full community participation. Programs and services include vocational rehabilitation, independent living, mobility training, social services and an assistive technology for the blind program.
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
MCDHH - Executive Office, 600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
617-740-1600 Voice
The Mission of MCDHH is to provide accessible communication, education and advocacy to consumers and private and public entities so that programs, services and opportunities throughout Massachusetts are fully accessible to persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing.
Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)
One Asburton Place, #1305
Boston, MA 02108
800-322-2020 or 617-727-7440
State Advocacy Agency serving people with disabilities of all ages. Learn more about key legislative initiatives for the Commonwealth. Priorities of this state agency include cultivating awareness of the needs of people with disabilities and providing technical assistance and support to municipal commissions on disability.
Medi-Ride Transportation - Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA)
Telephone: 978-469-6878, option 3
Through MVRTA, rides are provided on Thursdays to the Lahey Clinic and thirteen other Boston area hospitals. There is a cost, and reservations are required. Each Thursday, customers who live in the Greater Newburyport service area will be served with one vehicle traveling to Peabody and The Lahey Clinic and one vehicle traveling to Boston Medical Centers. The Greater Newburyport service area includes the Cities and Towns of West Newbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and Amesbury.
Newburyport Council on Aging
40 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950, 978-462-8650
Mission Statement. The mission of the Council on Aging is to match the needs of elders with the resources in the community.
Newburyport Police Department (NPD)
4 Green St, Newburyport, MA 01950, (978) 462-4411, Emergency: 911
NPD provides important safety programs such as Project Lifesaver, a program for locating missing persons with mental disabilities or Alzheimer's disease, and the Reverse 911 program, an auto call system that notifies residents of city wide emergencies.
Northeast/North Shore Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI)
978-654-5741, Mass Relay Available, dial 711, Alan Trebat atrebat@comteam.org.
The state-funded Home Modification Loan Program provides loans to make modifications to the primary, permanent residence of elders, adults with disabilities, and families with children with disabilities. Such modifications allow people to remain in their homes and live more independently in their communities.
Northern Essex Elder Transport
100 Main St, Suite 108, Amesbury, MA 01913, 978-462-8650
Available for out-of-town rides. M-F 9:00AM-3:00PM. A nominal donation per mile is requested.
Rides are arranged through the local Councils on Aging. Volunteer drivers provide door-to-door transportation to local and out of town medical appointments when no other means are available. There is a suggested donation per mile and drivers donate their time and the use of their automobiles.
Opportunity Works
Ten Opportunity Way, Newburyport, MA 01950, 978-462-6144
Opportunity Works is fully committed to enhancing the life for people with disabilities by promoting a culture of dignity and respect and ensuring individualized services that maximize the independence of the people we serve. We further resolve to eliminate the barriers that affect people with disabilities through community advocacy and education.
Project Lifesaver
2710 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953, 772-446-1271
Project Lifesaver - provides rapid response to save lives of adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome, dementia and other related cognitive conditions
The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC)
Disabled Persons Protection 24 hour Abuse Hotline 1-800-426-9009
DPPC Disabled Persons Protection Commission, 50 Ross Way, Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: (617) 727-6465
Responsible for investigating complaints of abuse against a person with a disability by a caretaker. DPPD provides a 24-hour hotline for reporting abuse, neglect or mistreatment of a person with a disability. They will investigate accordingly, and calls may be placed anonymously. Mandated and non-mandated reporters report suspected instances of abuse of a person with a disability by filing a verbal report with the DPPC Hotline at 1-800-426-9009 and by submitting a written report to the DPPC
The Yellow Dot
State Program Contact: Jack McDonald, Program Administrator, Smart-Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), 954-575-1271, admin@myyellowdots.com
A program which gives emergency responders at vehicular accident scenes accurate information about accident victims who may not be able to comprehend instructions or be able to communicate properly. Please call for more information.
Vision Loss Support Groups in Massachusetts
A support group that meets once a month in Newburyport. Sponsored by the MCB, it addresses the specific needs of individuals with vision loss. Transportation may be available for those who qualify. For information about meetings call: 978 792-5667
Local support groups: Low Vision/Blind Support Group Newburyport/Amesbury
https://ahoimate.com/ Ahoi Mate accessibility application for mobile devices.