Category: Health


May
2025

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Substance Use

categories: Cognitive Disabilities, Health

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can have substance use disorders (SUD). The risk of developing use disorders is significant. There is a lack of screening and formal testing for SUD in people with IDD.

People with IDD can often abuse alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.

The risk of developing SUD is relatively high among IDD substance users. It is due to: 

  • Impulsivity (poor impulse control)
  • Increased risk of trauma
  • Possible lack of understanding about the reality for abuse
  • What happens when you use drugs or alcohol (consequences of use)

Higher functioning people with IDD usually enjoy a greater level of independence.  They are more likely to get access to drugs and alcohol. Also, they interact more with their community at large. They are apt to feel peer pressures and prejudice. They want to fit in with others.

INDEX has a new fact sheet with information and resources about people with IDD and substance use disorders.

INDEX Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Substance Use fact sheet


Jan
2025

Hospice, Palliative Care, and Grief Support Programs

categories: Cognitive Disabilities, Family, Health

We have a new Hospice, Palliative Care and Grief Support fact sheet that has end of life resources for people and their families/caregivers. We have info and resources for:

  • hospice care
  • palliative care
  • grief resources
  • resources for caring for people with IDD

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may need hospice, palliative care and grief support programs. Hospice is end of life care. Palliative care is care for people who have serious illnesses. Grief support is for people who have lost a family member or loved one.

Today, the average life span for people with Down Syndrome is 60 or higher. Hospice can be offered in group homes, shared living homes, and family homes, for example. Palliative care can be given in many home settings. Grief services can be in-person, online, or through calls/chats. Some agencies offer special programs for people with IDD.

We have Hospice, Palliative Care and Grief resources in our Disability info.org database.

Please check out our new info and resources.


Sep
2024

Mental Health (MH) Crisis Resources

categories: Health, Mental Health
image of a red cross

INDEX has a newly updated fact sheet for finding mental health crisis services across Massachusetts. We also list services by areas of the state.  You can find help near where you live. 

A crisis can be:

  • Having a panic attack
  • Having feelings that make you sick
  • Hurting yourself or others
  • Trying to help someone who is having bad feelings
  • Wanting to kill yourself
  • Yelling, screaming, or throwing things 
  • Other MH problems

You can also find ways to call, text, or chat with someone who can help you. There is help for you 24 hours a day. There is a suicide and crisis lifeline.  If you want to kill yourself, or hurt yourself or others, you can get help. 

We hope that you will find this info useful for you or a family member or friend. 


Jun
2024

Sexual Assault and Prevention Resources for People with Disabilities (PwD)

categories: Cognitive Disabilities, Down Syndrome, Health, Mental Health, Physical disabilities, Sexual Assault and Prevention

Sexual abuse can be seen as unwanted sexual activity. It can be touching or showing body parts.  Abuse can be done by using force, bribes, stalking and threats. 

 People with disabilities (PwD) face many challenges and have very different needs. Some disabilities may put people at more risk for crimes like sexual assault or abuse. PwD may not be taken seriously when they make a report of sexual assault or abuse. They may not know how to report abuse. They may be scared to report what happened to them. They may fear what will happen to them after telling someone else. 

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) experience sexual assault at up to 7 times higher than people without disabilities. They are less likely to receive services that help stop violence. They get less support healing from pain and trauma. Research shows only 13% of PwD survivors with disabilities receive victim services.

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) may not understand or lack information about healthy sexuality. They may not have had sex ed classes. They may not know the kinds of touching that are good or bad (appropriate or inappropriate). This can be very hard. A person’s disability may require other people to touch them to provide care. Someone who has IDD may not be able to agree to sexual activity. Many people with IDD are survivors of sexual abuse. 

INDEX has a new fact sheet on Sexual Assault and Prevention Resources for People with Disabilities.  We have info for people in Massachusetts and national resources. 

Some areas are:

  • Ways to report sexual abuse
  • Rape Crisis Centers info
  • Domestic violence programs
  • Hotlines

Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Hotline: 800-426-9009


Aug
2022

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Linkages Program

categories: Cognitive Disabilities, Community, Health

The Department of Public Health’s Linkages Program evaluates, refers and links persons 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities to preventative health care and health promotion programs in their community.

Based off participants responses to a series of surveys and questionnaires the Linkages Program zeros in on common trends and remarks in order to coordinate an individualized plan of action for each participant. The Linkages Coordinator meets with potential participants either virtually, over the phone, or in-person to see what their health needs are and then works with the participant to link them with providers or other services.

The Linkage Program looks to remove barriers and hardships to healthcare access, health promotion activities, and mental health care needs. The program encourages participants to be confident, self-reliant, and knowledgeable about their rights and resources that are available to them.

As the Linkage Coordinator, Phelicha is committed to creating an environment that is inclusive, supportive and relevant. She aims to provide immediate one on one consultations that collaboratively prioritizes participants needs and goals. Thus, ensuring that each person alongside their support systems feel seen, heard and understood.

Please contact Phelicha!

-Phelicha Berdet, Linkage Coordinator, MA DPH Health and Disability Program

Email Phelicha.D.Berdet@mass.gov

Cell Phone: 617-279-3730


Jul
2022

MassHealth Transportation and Other Resources

categories: Accessibility, Health, Transportation

MassHealth launched 2 new webpages about Transportation for MassHealth Members. We are pleased to be able to share this info.

These pages can help people:

  • Ask medical provider to fill out PT1 form
  • Get  PT1 transportation
  • Schedule rides
  • Check the status of a PT1 form
  • Get questions answered
  • Know who to call
  • What to know before you go

Transportation for MassHealth Members

Get a ride to MassHealth medical appointments 

Learn about how to find transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, commuters, and others in your community.

I’m Looking for Transportation


Nov
2021

VaxAbilities Disability Friendly Vaccine Sites

categories: Accessibility, Health

The Arc of Massachusetts has an update to share regarding vaccines and boosters from colleagues at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and our state’s Developmental Disabilities Network.


This is about disability vaccine-friendly sites and options; please note volunteers are needed, too.


I. Disability-Friendly Vaccine Sites or Mobile Events

  • Disability-friendly vaccine sites or mobile events can be found by going to https://vaxabilities.com/
  • Organized by UMass Medical and Shriver Center in cooperation with our Developmental Disabilities Network (which also includes ICI, MDDC, and DLC). These events are scheduled to take place across the Commonwealth after the anticipated approval of the COVID vaccine for 5-11-year-olds this month.
  • The goal of these events is to support people with sensory and/or other accommodation needs in Massachusetts to have the most positive and comfortable vaccination experience possible.
  • We will accomplish this by bringing in clinicians with sensory training to partner with vaccinating clinicians, physical tools to assist with numbing and distraction, strategies for positioning and distraction, and the assistance of volunteers to help with logistics and engagement. Most events will offer vaccines to both children and adults.

Disability-friendly Vaccine Events

We also want to note that planners are hoping for clinicians and volunteers to sign up for the upcoming “VaxAbilities” disability-friendly vaccine events! Currently, they are looking for:

  1. Sensory-trained clinicians who will partner with vaccine-administrating clinicians to understand and use strategies to support the sensory needs and accommodations children or adults may have through the vaccination process (paid or volunteer)
  2. Pediatricians on-site to answer parent and child questions about the COVID19 vaccine (paid or volunteer)
  3. Volunteers that can help direct visitors, help engage children as they wait for vaccines, hand out distractor items/toys, assist with vaccine station cleaning and collect survey responses, etc.

Sign up to volunteer.


Sep
2021

Massachusetts Personal Care Attendant (PCA) How-to Training Videos

categories: Community, Health, Home

We want to share some information about Personal Care Attendant Services in Massachusetts.

The Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council developed new training videos for Consumers, Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) and Job Seekers. These videos explain:

  • Directory Basics Video
  • Consumer Video
  • Worker Video

There are questions and answers for both consumers and workers.

Consumers that need PCA services during this public health emergency can call the MassOptions call center at 1-844-422-6277.

  • The MassOptions call center will connect these consumers to home health services in their region

Training Videos and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Sep
2021

EasyCOVID-19 Project Now Recruiting!

categories: Accessibility, Cognitive Disabilities, Community, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Health

Please help EasyCOVID-19 simplify COVID-19 info world wide!

The EasyCOVID-19 project is now recruiting people to help us simplify COVID19 terms. Please help us by visiting our EasyCOVID-19 crowdsourcing app. This is the start of our project to simplify the COVID-19 information published by every country’s government websites.

Overall Plan

We will start with the Massachusetts. We will then expand to the other U.S. states. We will then move to the 18 English Speaking countries, then the 21 Spanish speaking countries, then the world! This will help many huge populations, such as people with cognitive disabilities, non-native language speakers, the Deaf, and seniors. When they understand how to be safe and healthy, the whole world will be safe and healthy.

Our project would not be successful without:

Please help us now!

For more info, see our EasyCOVID-19 Website!