"Focus"
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"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss
The “Focus"  website is a resource of the MCB/DDS Partnership Project for Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services, a cooperative effort between the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Read more about MCB/DDS Services and Resources. 
illustration of eyeglasses

Vision Loss Support Groups
Caregivers
  • Caregiver Support Group (VIRTUAL) 
    • We look forward to connecting with you at our next virtual Caregiver Support Group.​​​ ​
      • ​Dates: August 12, 2025, 10:00am-11:00am - OR - August 13, 2025, 4:00pm-5:00pm
      • Topic: “Focus” on Vision Impairment and Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals - An Overview!
        • August Support Group Info PDF  /  August Support Group RTF​
    • Group is held virtually every month January-October. 
  • Interested to join a Support Group?  Please complete the registration form, and send to [email protected]
    • Support Group Registration Form (fillable PDF)   /  Support Group Registration Form (RTF)​
    • Caregiver Support Group Flyer (PDF)   /  Caregiver Support Group Flyer (RTF)
Individuals
  • Allston, MA - DDS/VI SUPPORT GROUP: Always Exploring, Never Lost…
    • ​DDS/VI Support Group Flyer (PDF)  / DDS/VI Support Group Flyer (RTF)​​

Train the Trainer: Human Guide and Vision Loss Sensitivity
Join us and become a Trainer on Human Guide and Vision Loss Sensitivity to then train your co-workers at the agency where you are employed.  Successful completion of this training will enable you to provide training for new staff and/or refresher training for existing supervisors and staff. This Train the Trainer Project for HGVLS is virtual and free, just an application is required! 
  • August/September 2025 
    • Hybrid/Online Class begins August 18, 2025 
    • In-Person Session September 17,2025 in Holyoke, MA
    • ​Applications due by August 13, 2025
      • ​August-September Application PDF   /  August-September Application RTF

17th Annual "Focus" on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss
  • Tuesday, October 7, 2025
  • 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, Massachusetts
Registration Now Open!
Focus Conference 2025 Brochure (PDF)    /    Focus Conference 2025 Brochure (RTF)
​Please Register Online or via QR code below.
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“Focus” Talks  
  • Free, on-demand learning opportunities
  • Some sessions from 16th Annual “Focus” Conference are now available. 

Eye Surgery Preparation and Post Op Planning for Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • Eye Surgery Prep (full brochure) PDF
  • Eye Surgery Prep (text only brochure) RTF
  • Eye Surgery Questions List PDF  /   Eye Surgery Question List RTF

Keeping Healthy and Safe: Focus on Orientation & Mobility Techniques, Glasses, Canes, Devices and More
In this busy and trying time, all of our energies and attention are on keeping our loved ones and ourselves healthy and safe.  Highlighting vision loss, we have put together three resources focusing on Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques, COVID-19 Protocol for Use of the Human Guide Technique, and Keeping Glasses, Canes, Visual Aids, Cell Phones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized.  We hope that these three additions to our collection of downloadable resources will be a help to you.  We encourage you to send the links and/or download to share. Together we can help each other to stay healthy and safe. 
  • COVID-19 Protocol for Use of the Human Guide Technique (PDF) updated December 2020
  • COVID-19 Protocol for Use of the Human Guide Technique (RTF) updated December 2020
  • Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques (PDF) updated December 2020
  • Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques (RTF) updated December 2020
  • Keeping Canes, Visual Aids, Cellphones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized (PDF)
  • Keeping Canes, Visual Aids, Cellphones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized (RTF)​

For more information please contact: 
Lisa DiBonaventura,  M.A.,  COMS
Statewide Director Vision & Vision Loss Services
Department of Developmental Services  (DDS)
131 Emerald Street, Wrentham, MA 02093

Email: [email protected]
About                   Contact                  FAQ
Site Accessibility & Download Policy
Please note: By posting these Web links, it is not our intention to endorse or recommend the sites. These sites are being offered only as informational resources.  
"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • MCB/DDS
    • About >
      • Site Accessibility & Download Policy
      • Vision Loss Terminology
    • APH Federal Quota Account >
      • APH Activity Ideas
    • DDS Collaborative Eye Care Centers
    • Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services >
      • Areas Served
      • COMS Log In
    • Let's Walk Together
    • Vision Loss Support Groups
    • EOHHS Resources
  • Eye Care
    • Find an Eye Care Provider >
      • By Town >
        • Ayer
        • Beverly
        • Boston
        • Burlington
        • Cambridge
        • Chelmsford
        • East Bridgewater
        • East Harwich
        • Fairhaven
        • Fall River
        • Falmouth
        • Fitchburg
        • Framingham
        • Franklin
        • Gardner
        • Greenfield
        • Holyoke
        • Lowell
        • Marlborough
        • Melrose
        • New Bedford
        • Newton
        • North Dartmouth
        • North Reading
        • Plymouth
        • Quincy
        • Revere
        • Sagamore
        • Salem
        • Sandwich
        • South Dennis
        • Spencer
        • Sturbridge
        • Sudbury
        • Taunton
        • Tewksbury
        • Waltham
        • Watertown
        • West Springfield
        • Worcester
    • Holyoke Vision Center
    • Center for Adaptive Eye Care SEMA
    • MCPHS Eye and Vision Center
    • DDS Vision Care Guidelines
    • Eye Health & Safety
    • Eye Conditions & Simulations >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
      • U
      • V
    • In the News
  • Everyday Life
    • Strategies
    • COVID Resources
    • Deafblind Resources
    • Orientation & Mobility >
      • Movement, Safety and Fun
    • Recreation >
      • Leisure and Learning at Home
    • Local & National Organizations
  • Tech and Access
    • Apps for Vision Loss
    • Technology Equipment
    • Technology Resources
    • Products for Accessibility
    • News and Information Access
  • Students
    • Birth - 22 >
      • Team and IEP
    • Transition
  • Connect
    • Focus Blog
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Training
    • "Focus Talks"
    • Conferences & Workshops >
      • "Focus" Conference Archive
    • Equitable Access
    • Online Courses & Webinars
    • Downloadable Resources & Videos
    • Train the Trainer: Human Guide >
      • Trainer Log In (password needed)
    • Train the Leader: Support Groups >
      • Support Group Leader Log in (password required)