Public Services for Adults with Disabilities
Ages 18 - 24 Years
At any age, people with disabilities have a right to special services to meet their unique needs. When people turn 18 and become legal adults, they often start receiving services from different places than they did when they were children. This article provides an overview of the government agencies and services in Massachusetts that can help young people with disabilities. Programs and services vary by state, so families need to learn about their own state's offerings.
In this section
The links on this page are provided as resources only. Boston Children's Hospital and the Benderson Family Heart Center don't necessarily endorse all of the information on these sites.
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Social Services
In a majority of US states, social services are provided under the state's Department of Health and Human Services or Department of Social Services.
This umbrella organization includes many different programs that can meet the needs of young adults with disabilities.
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Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) serves individuals with developmental disabilities, and helps them to participate fully in their community. Within Massachusetts, DDS serves young people ages 0-25.
They can often offer services including:
support groups
referrals and resources
case management
financial assistance for caregivers
respite care
family education
direct services for people coming out of residential care
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Rehabilitation Commission
The Rehabilitation Commission promotes agency, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities. It helps people to live and work more independently.
Rehabilitation Commission services can include:
help finding and keeping a job
assistive technology
home care direct assistance
loans to modify homes to accommodate a disability
services to support transition home after rehabilitation for a brain injury
job training
centers for independent living
legal support protecting against abuse or neglect
case coordination for supportive living
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Department of Mental Health
The Department of Mental Health supports people with mental health needs from childhood through the lifespan.
They can offer services including:
community clinic services
multidisciplinary treatment
respite programs
clubhouses
case management
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Commissions on Disability
Commissions on Disability are town- or city-based agencies that advocate for the needs of people with disabilities in their community.
They vary greatly in what services they can offer, but their services may include:
advising local officials about how to best follow disability laws, and to serve the needs of people with disabilities in the town
reviewing any new building projects and making sure they follow accessibility laws
advocating for the needs of people with disabilities in local government
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Career Centers
Career Centers provide a central location for residents with disabilities to find information about finding and keeping a job. They can access free services such as assistance writing a resume, conducting an interview, and completing job applications.
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Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps to ensure that people who are Deaf or hard of hearing have full access to their communities.
This can mean:
access to technology
advocacy
case management
interpretation services
public education
help with employment
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Commission for the Blind
The Commission for the Blind helps residents have full access to their community.
This can mean:
job opportunities
advocacy
special telephone equipment
assistance with accessible transportation
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides services to people with disabilities that prevent them from being able to work. When people qualify for SSDI, they can receive monthly payments, plus access to government-funded medical insurance.
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Paid Caregiver Program
In some states, family members may be able to be paid to serve as a caregiver of people with disabilities.
Families may be able to be paid as a caregiver if their loved one has Medicaid, or through long-term care insurance policies.
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Personal Care Attendant Program
Personal care attendant programs provide payment to professionals who can care for a person within their home. These programs can help individuals with disabilities to remain at home and within their communities.
Planning Early
When a young person with a disability is transitioning to adulthood, families need to look in new directions for the help they need. Schools and pediatric providers may no longer be able to meet their needs.
In order to make this process easier, families should start early in determining what help their loved one will require, and how to get that help. School staff, hospital social workers, and town-level social workers are often very helpful in navigating this process. Below are more resources to help.
This content was reviewed by a psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Developmental care is best when it is local. Families local to Boston can receive care from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (CNP). Families from other regions can use the link below to find their local care team.
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