Massachusetts Incentives Information
- Assistant.Technology Loan Program
- Assistive Technology Program
- Disability Law Center
- Economic Development Incentive Program
- Hiring Incentive Training Grant Program
- Job Creation Incentive Payment
- Loans for Equipment
- Loans for Real Estate Acquisitions and Construction or Renovations
- New England Assistive Technology Marketplace
- On-The-Job Training Funds
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Workplace Training Fund
Assistive Technology Loan Program
The Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program, operated by Easter Seals Massachusetts, gives people with disabilities and their employers access to low-interest cash loans so they can buy Assistive Technology devices. The program offers better interest rates than a traditional bank loan, and repayment lengths are based on the expected useful life of the device.
Since Assistive Technology tends to increase a disabled employee’s productivity, it is wise for an employer to invest in Assistive Technology utilizing these loans.
Assistive Technology Program
The Assistive Technology Program enables individuals with severe disabilities the ability to access assistive technology devices and training. Assistive technology (AT) is any device that helps to maximize an individual’s independence, especially in a workplace setting.
The Assistive Technology Program is part of Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s Community Services Program. Three organizations (MA Easter Seals, United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County and CLASS, Inc.) are contracted to do the purchasing, equipment set-up, training and follow-up for this program.
It should be noted that individuals seeking Assistive Technology for vocational purposes will be referred to a vocational rehabilitation agency for assistance. However, this program could possibly serve as an alternative, if the individual’s Assistive Technology needs aren’t adequately met by VR.
Disability Law Center (DLC)
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC receives federal, state and private funding but is not part of the state or federal government. The DLC can provide information, referral, technical assistance and representation regarding legal rights and services for people with disabilities.
Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP)
The objective of the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) is to entice private investment, stimulate job creation, attract new businesses and encourage existing businesses to expand. Part of a business’ expansion and job creation endeavor could be to include jobs for people with disabilities.
Hiring Incentive Training Grant Program
The Hiring Incentive Training Grant Program – part of the Workforce Training Fund - provides training grants of up to $2,000 per employee and up to $30,000 a year per company. This program assists in paying training costs for newly hired employees who have been unemployed over a year.
This program specializes in training newly hired workers who have been unemployed for more than a year. Many people with disabilities could benefit from this program because long-term unemployment is a chronic problem in the disabilities community. Job training provided by this program can help put an end to this problem.
Job Creation Incentive Payment
The Job Creation Incentive Payment - biotechnology and medical device manufacturing companies are eligible to receive incentive payments for new job creation. A qualifying biotechnology or medical device manufacturing company that creates 10 or more eligible jobs in the Commonwealth during a single calendar year will be entitled to an incentive payment equal to 50% of the eligible jobs’ salaries multiplied by the applicable Massachusetts income tax rate of the newly hired persons.
This plan is designed to create well paying jobs in the biotech and medical equipment industries. People with disabilities who are educated in these fields and have the appropriate employment backgrounds could be the recipients of the jobs created by this program.
Loans for Equipment (Assistive Technology)
The following web sites contain information on different loans offered to Massachusetts businesses to purchase equipment, machinery or technology. Capital from these loans can also be used to obtain Assistive Technology for disabled employees. Assistive technology is any device that enables a person with a disability to be more functional. Using the proper technology at work will allow a disabled person to be more productive, and in turn, a better worker.
A good example of assistive technology in the workplace is a voice recognition system for the computer. By recognizing the user’s voice, this device will type whatever is said into its microphone. With this technology, the employee uses the computer at a much faster rate because he/she doesn’t need to type with a keyboard to operate it. Because of the increased productivity, it is wise for an employer to invest in Assistive Technology for disabled employees.
Loans for Real Estate Acquisitions, Construction or Renovations
The following web sites contain information on loans and bonds offered to Massachusetts businesses for the acquisition, construction or renovation of real estate. With these loans, a business can purchase or build a building that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards.
More businesses located in accessible buildings will help to eliminate some of the architectural barriers that hinder people with disabilities from working. With added accessible buildings, people with disabilities will be able to freely access the businesses located in these buildings for new employment opportunities.
Additionally, capital from these loans can be used to renovate or remodel an existing building making it more accommodating for employees with disabilities. Real Estate Loans can provide borrowers with access to up to $3 million for facility acquisition, renovation, construction, and permanent financing.
Click here for more information on the Real Estate Loans program.
New England Assistive Technology Marketplace (NEAT)
The New England Assistive Technology Marketplace (NEAT) was established to provide information and access to equipment and devices that can change the lives of people of all ages, with all types of disabilities, both temporary and permanent. They operate under the auspices of The Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill, a 109 year old non-profit organization located in Hartford, CT. NEAT serves all of New England.
The new headquarters building of the NEAT Marketplace provides 25,000 square feet of space for product demonstrations, expos, classes, computer use, research and equipment restoration. This is an ongoing public ‘open house’ to view and try assistive technology.
On-The-Job Training Funds
This is a program offered by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission that reimburses the salary of an employee during an on-site training period known as an On-The-Job-Training fee.
The prospective employees who receive this training with these funds can be individuals with disabilities. Often, job training or a skills upgrade is needed for someone with a disability to find and maintain a job. Job training provided by these funds could update employment skills for many people with disabilities and help them succeed in their careers. These funds can pay an employer for a portion of the salary paid to an eligible person with a disability.
Rehabilitation Technology
Rehabilitation technology is the application of technology to meet the needs of people with disabilities, especially in the workplace. Its goal is to eliminate barriers and increase functional capacity for more opportunities in education and employment. Assistive technology and other enhancements are used in the rehabilitation technology field. A person with a disability seeking Rehabilitation Technology for vocational purposes can apply to a Vocational Rehabilitation agency for assistance.
Click here to view a list of Vocational Rehabilitation offices near you.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
VR helps adults with various types of disabilities obtain and keep gainful employment. To achieve this goal, different types of support services – including job training - are offered to VR’s clients and their employers. These services are meant to eliminate any barriers that may prevent a person with a disability from working. Additionally, VR has close business relationships with local industries allowing clients to network for possible employment opportunities.
Click here for an overview of the VR system
Workforce Training Fund (WTF)
The purpose of the Workforce Training Fund (WTF) is to provide resources to Massachusetts businesses and workers to train current and newly hired employees. Depending on the business, funding is available in one of three categories.
- Express Funding: Total grant request cannot exceed $15,000; $3,000 per course per trainee.
- General Funding: Grants over $250,000 and up to $1 Million may be awarded. These grants will be awarded in exceptional circumstances. Criteria for these grants are the same as for all WTF grants; however, those training programs resulting in significant job creation and job retention will receive additional consideration.
- HITG Funding: Total grant request cannot exceed $30,000, $2,000 per new hire.
Frequently, people with disabilities don’t have the skills necessary to obtain and keep competitive employment. Through the WTF, disabled employees can gain the skills needed to get a job and successfully advance in their career.
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