MassAbility assists individuals with disabilities to live and work independently.  Through their Vocational Rehabilitation/Careers services,  job seekers can identify career goals, find employment, and gain workplace experience. Programs include NextGen Careers, Pre-employment Transition Services, Ticket to Work, and Youth Leadership Network. Their services may consist of  anything from identifying job goals based on individual interests and aptitudes, exploring college and vocational training programs, assessing worksite accommodations, educating an employer about the Americans With Disabilities Act, to assisting an individual returning to work after adjusting to a new disabling condition. MassAbility serves people with all types of disabilities except those who are blind, since the Mass Commission for the Blind is dedicated entirely to that population.

MassAbility’s Career/Vocational Rehabilitation Services help individuals with physical, psychiatric and/or learning disabilities face the challenges of the modern workplace. MassAbility serves people with all types of disabilities except those who are blind. Priority is given to those individuals who have the most severe disabilities in areas such as communication, mobility, work tolerance and work skills.

Financial assistance to fund the plan is determined by need and availability of funds.

Click here and speak to your student’s liaison to determine if a MassAbility referral is a good fit for his/her needs.

KP has a strong relationship with MassAbility. We work in close collaboration with the Southbridge office to help refer our students for services. Often, MassAbility comes to KPHS to make the referral process easier. Referrals can be made by students/families on their MassAbility Connect web portal or you can call them to complete the application over the phone at: 617-204-3665.

Here is a tip sheet to help you with the application process.

For those students who are enrolled in KP until age 22, a Chapter 688 referral will be made 2 years prior to school exit. This will begin the referral process to the best fit agency, which may include MassAbility. Sometimes, students are referred to multiple agencies, such as MassAbility and DDS.

• Guidance and Counseling: to explore vocational skills, aptitudes, interests and realistic job goals
• Skill Training and Education: at vocational schools, colleges, community facilities and on the job
• Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering: for necessary accommodations
• Restorative Equipment and Treatment: not covered by insurance
• Vehicle and Housing Modification: needed to get to and from work
• Job Search and Follow-up Assistance: resumes, cover letters, job search assistance, job seeking skills, networking and job coaching

Additional services may include:

• helping students pursue their GED (now called the HiSET);
• funding community or state college if the training is needed to obtain a job in their field of interest;
• making a referral for and potentially funding a ​driving evaluation if needed to assess whether your student would be safe on the road.