Visit the Special Needs Disability Events Calendar - Massachusetts to stay involved with upcoming events!
WCI is dedicated to providing homes, and employment opportunities to people with a range of developmental and intellectual disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury.
Address: 610 Lincoln St, Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: (781) 899-8220
Offers programs and sustainable support systems for people with disabilities.
Address: 217 South St., Waltham, MA, 02453
Phone: (781)-891-6270
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience and is funded by the Social Security Administration providing benefits to eligible individuals with disabilities.
MassMATCH
For information, demonstration, or funding for medical equipment, wheelchairs, computers, or any other assistive technology.
Phone: (877)-508-3974 -Toll Free
Phone: (617)-204-3851
Email: info@massmatch.org
The Hope Center
A community center that provides supportive, peer-run social opportunities for people with disabilities.
DMH Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center
Address: 25 Staniford St., Boston, MA, 02114
Phone: (617)-626-8687- phone is kept on silent so as not to disturb the participants in the activities but the messages are frequently checked.
Only for clients with major mental illness or developmental disabilities who have been found eligible by DMH (Department of Mental Health) or DDS (Department of Developmental Services). Offers mental health support as well as assistance to those with co-occurring substance abuse problems or developmental disabilities. Services include community support, day treatment, outpatient treatment, intervention services, peer support and advocacy, and family support and advocacy. In Waltham, the Potter Place Clubhouse offers pre-vocational, vocational, and social opportunities.
Address: 205 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730
Phone: (781)-862-3600
Website: https://www.edinburgcenter.org/
More Disability Resources
MassOptions connects elders, individuals with disabilities and their caregiver with agencies and organizations that can best meet their needs.
Published by Metro Housing Boston, delineates the rights in housing for those with disabilities.
Council Empowerment Funds Program
This grant program that helps people with developmental disabilities and their families learn and grow. This grant program reimburses up to $250 of your expenses to attend relevant conferences or other events in Massachusetts.
For more information visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/council-empowerment-funds-program
MBTA Board Approves Low-Income Fare Program to Benefit Riders
This is a transportation resource that became available in March. It provides free/low-cost bus transportation to low-income and disabled people.
Jewish Family & Children's Services
Offers support and services to families with members with physical and mental disabilities.
Address: 1430 Main St, Waltham, MA, 02451
Phone: (781)-647-5327
Autism Insurance Resource Center
A source for free information for individuals, families, and service providers about disability programs.
Phone: (774)-455-4056
Provides service dogs for all ages and levels of severity of disability.
Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community
A group of agencies and organizations in the Boston area that serve people with physical and mental disabilities.
Provides caregivers with training, support, and financial assistance to care for elders and disabled individuals at home.
Mental Illness Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- Massachusetts
Offers support and advocacy to those with mental illness and their families.
Helpline: 800-370- 9085
Address: 331 Montvale Avenue, 2nd floor, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (617)-580-8541
Website: https://namimass.org/
List of special statewide Family Support Groups:
Website: https://namimass.org/nami-family-support-groups/#statewide
Compass Helpline
The Compass Helpline at NAMI Massachusetts provides free information, ideas, resources, and support to help people across the state navigate the complex mental health system and related systems of care. Compass is staffed by people with first-hand experience navigating the mental health system for themselves or a family member.
Phone: (617)-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085
Open: Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Email: compass@namimass.org
Wellmet Project
The Wellmet Project is a unique program that operates group homes for people with mental illness. We are a charity whose purpose is to not only meet the basic needs of each individual, but to encourage growth, independence and self sufficiency.
We are a transitional housing program, with a length of stay ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Our residents have a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses, but they share the common need for support, companionship, respect, and a commitment to recovery.
Phone: (617) 491-2377
Fax: (617) 491-3195
Address: 649 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 6 Cambridge, MA 02139
Clubhouse provides pre-vocational, vocational and social experiences for individuals who have a mental health condition.
Judith Kellam, Director
Phone: (781)-894-5302
Email: jkellam@edinburgcenter.org
Website: https://www.edinburgcenter.org/charles-webster-potter-place/
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network
Wayside works with families under significant stress due to mental illness, behavioral problems, addiction issues and other challenges. We also support youth who have experienced abuse, neglect and trauma.
Phone: (508)-879-9800 or 1-800-370-9085
Address: 1 Frederick Abbott Way, Framingham, MA 01701
Website: https://www.waysideyouth.org/aboutus/ourservicesoverview/
Wayside Tempo Young Adult Resource Center
One stop resource center for Young Adults ages 17-24. Tempo is a drop-in center with hours Monday-Saturday. Focus on achievement, employment, schooling, healthy relationships, and practical skills to reach future goals.
Open:
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Wednesday: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM– 6 PM
To set up an appointment or have questions about services, please call (508)-879-1424.
If you are a young adult who is struggling with mental health issues and would like to speak to a clinician, please call (508)-469-3241. Leave a brief message with your name and number and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
Children and Teens with Disabilities
Waltham Public Schools - Special Education
The Waltham Public Schools Special Education Department is responsible for making sure that our 1000 students with special education needs successfully access the general education curriculum with the support of specialized instruction and support services.
Waltham Public Schools
Address: 617 Lexington Street Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: (781) 314-5400
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities.
Enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.
The Arc of Massachusetts
Address: 217 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453
Phone: (781) 891-6270
Email: arcmass@arcmass.org
Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events
This is a resource to find events and programming for children and teenagers with special needs in the state.
A cross-functional team comprised of parents, educators and school administrators. Membership is open to individuals who have a vested interest in special education in the City of Waltham.
Join their Facebook group to learn more.
Massachusetts Family Voices
A grassroots organization for children with special health care needs.
Cambridge Human Service Programs: Special Needs
The Human Services Department in Cambridge offers a program with activities like arts and crafts, swimming, cooking, and field trips to groups of individuals (various ages, both genders) with disabilities. Ages 6 and up.
Phone: (617)-349-6200
Family Ties of Massachusetts
Offers referral services and emotional support to families of children with disabilities.
Phone: 1-800-905-8437
Children and Teens with Autism
Resource Guide for Transition Aged ASD Youth
Inform families & individuals about transition resources that may be available to an individual with ASD.
To provide families with information, education, and support; plan programs and events that will aid those families; while increasing public awareness regarding autism.
Address: 1881 Worcester Rd. Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: (508)-652-9900
Email: AutismAlliance@Advocates.org
Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center
Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center works with elected officials and partners to create laws and regulations to ensure that children and young adults with ASD have access to the services and resources they need in order to reach their full potential.
The Lurie Center for Autism is a multidisciplinary clinical, research, training and advocacy program dedicated to treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders across the lifespan.
Address: 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA 02421
Phone: (781)-860-1700 or (781)-860-1766
Email: luriecenter@partners.org
Open: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Website: https://www.massgeneral.org/children/autism/lurie-center
The Flutie Foundation offers several programs to help people and families of all ages affected by autism live each day to the fullest by alleviating the financial distress caused by an autism diagnosis and making sure services are available to all people with autism regardless of their ability to pay.