We are dedicated to eliminating barriers and creating opportunities for people with visual and other disabilities to participate fully and meaningfully in their communities.

We advocate equal opportunity for persons with visual and other disabilities, empowering them to participate fully in the community and enabling the community to value the contributions and life choices of these individuals.

Description:
Our services include short-term, in-home rehabilitation which provides information, resources, instruction in daily living skills, and introduction to adaptive equipment with the goal of maintaining or increasing independence; self-help groups which provide the opportunity for participants to share fears, frustrations, coping mechanisms, and resources as their vision changes; trained volunteers who assist with reading and clerical tasks and who serve as driver/escorts to supermarkets, recreational activities and medical appointments; and the Adaptive Products Information Center which offers demonstration of low vision aids and a magnifier and lighting clinic, by appointment only.

History:
Founded in 1903 as the Massachusetts Association for the Interests of the Adult Blind, the agency was the first of its kind for blind people in the United States. We initiated legislation requiring silver nitrate drops to prevent blindness in newborns; created recreational programs for blind men and women; and provided financial support of a training program, run by the Perkins School in association with Harvard University, for teachers of blind children. In the 1960's, the agency's name was shortened to Massachusetts Association for the Blind (MAB). We developed direct service volunteer programs to serve blind people within their own communities. Offices were opened in Worcester and Springfield to provide volunteer services, information and referral, public education, and group recreational activities. A retail store of low vision products was started in the Worcester office in 1977 and in the Brookline and Springfield offices in 1978. The Leominster office opened in the 80's to serve people in the Montachusett Region. In 1988, the agency merged with the VISION Foundation and services were expanded to include peer support groups, an elder rehabilitation project, the Information Center, the Verizon Program for Customers with Disabilities and a program for persons living with AIDS and sight loss. The Verizon Program closed in 2002 and the low vision store closed in 2003. The Adaptive Products Information Center opened in 2003 and includes a magnifier and lighting clinic and low and high tech vision aid demonstrations and training. The Worcester office moved from 51 Harvard Street to the present location in 2003 and currently serves the Central Massachusetts area.

Contact people:

Mary Haroyan, Coordinator Of Volunteer Services, (phone), (email) Mary Haroyan, Coordinator of Volunteers, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (508) 854-0733

Address:

799 West Boylston Street Worcester, MA 01606 (See a map)

Web Site: http://mabcommunity.org

Directions:

From the North: Take Route 2 to Route 190 South. Take Route 190 South to Exit #2. Turn left onto West Mountain Street. At third set of lights, turn right on to Route 12 (West Boylston Street).. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 30N

Miscellaneous Information

Are any opportunities appropriate for youth ages 18 or under? If yes, what age range?
	No.

Overall Experience   
It has been very fulfilling and exciting.

I have a grand time visiting and elderly client who just wants company now and then. I have learned so much about some of the real-life history of New England from her and her experiences. She was very excited when I got married and we talked for hours about that. It has just been a great experience to know that just by visiting once a month can make a huge difference in somebodies life. posted by skokaram on April 20, 2006