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RESOURCES &
HELPFUL LINKS

TRANSPORTATION

 

 

Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA):

Road Runner ADA Service Information

ADA Eligibility

LRTA ADA Application

http://lrta.com/

Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA):

https://www.mvrta.com/

 

Special Services:

http://www.mvrta.com/special-services/ 

 

ADA EZ Trans:

http://www.mvrta.com/special-services/ez-trans/

 

 

 

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA):

https://www.mbta.com/

 

The Ride:

https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride

 

Blind Access CharlieCard:

https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/fares/senior-tap-blind-access-flyer/2018-10-senior-tap-blind-access-flyer-english.pdf 

 

Apply for a Blind Access CharlieCard:

https://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced/blind-access-charliecard

COMMONWEALTH SERVICES

Definition of legal blindness in the state of Massachusetts:

The definition of “legally blind” is someone with:

Vision with correction of 20/200 or less in the better eye; or peripheral field of ten degrees radius (10º) or less, regardless of visual acuity.

 

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-blind

 

O&M Services:

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/orientation-and-mobility-o-m

 

Assistive Technology Services:

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/assistive-technology-for-the-blind-at

 

Vision Rehabilitation Teaching:

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/rehabilitation-teaching-vision-rehabilitation-therapy 

LEISURE/READING

Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library

https://www.perkins.org/library

 

Bookshare:

https://bookshare.org 

SHOPPING RESOURCES

 

MaxiAids

 

Braille products:

https://www.maxiaids.com/braille-products

Low Vision & Tools for the Blind:

https://www.maxiaids.com/blind-and-low-vision-store

 

Long Canes:

https://www.maxiaids.com/producttag/1564/canes-for-the-blind

 

*LAB offers demoing and assistance with ordering magnifiers. Please feel free to reach out to the LAB Office for assistance and/or inquiries (978) 454-5704.

EDUCATION

 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.”

 

Retrieved from:

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/#:~:text=The%20Individuals%20with%20Disabilities%20Education,related%20services%20to%20those%20children

 

“Blind Students and the IEP Process” Carlton Anne Cook Walker

https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr36/2/fr360202.htm

 

Expanded Core Curriculum

https://www.perkins.org/school/ecc 

 

MA Braille Bill

https://malegislature.gov/

 

 

SCHOOL PERSONNEL

 

Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI): “A Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (also called a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, a vision specialist, VI teacher, vision itinerant teacher, etc.) is typically a licensed special education teacher who has received certification and specialized training, in meeting the educational needs of students who are blind or have visual impairments ages birth through 21 (states vary on the criteria for certification as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments).  This is an instructional position, as opposed to a related service or vision therapy. “ 

 

(Retrieved from https://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/teacher-of-students-with-visual-impairments.html)

 

Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS): “The Orientation & Mobility Specialist is a certified instructor who has received specialized training in teaching people who are blind or visually impaired to travel safely, gracefully and efficiently throughout their environments including indoor and outdoor, familiar and unfamiliar.  An Orientation and Mobility Specialist teaches people who are blind and visually impaired specific skills they need in order to know where they are and how to move independently, safely, efficiently to where they want to be. Usually the O&M Specialist works with students individually.”

 

Retrieved from http://teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/orientation--mobility-specialist.html)

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