MCB and MABVI shifting all Peer Empowerment (PEP) support group meetings from in-person to phone meetings

All Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates Can Be Found Here

For immediate release:

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) are invested in the health and well being of the people we are honored to serve. Due to the challenging and unique nature that COVID-19 presents, MCB and MABVI will be modifying the way we deliver our programs and services effective immediately March 12, 2020. All in-person group activities held between MCB and MABVI, including peer empowerment support group (PEP) meetings will be held by phone. Each phone meeting will be held at the same time as the currently scheduled group meeting.

Group coordinators will receive a call from a MABVI staff member with a phone number and conference ID to distribute to their group members. Coordinators and MABVI staff will be in touch with group members to give out call-in details before the scheduled group meeting.

This is an unprecedented time, and we ask for your patience as we work through the coronavirus concerns in our community.

We are asking all PEP coordinators to please call group members to let them know that until further notice, all in-person meetings are suspended and all PEP group meetings will be held by phone.

Please let group members know that any answers to questions about the covid-19 virus can be answered by their healthcare provider, or by visiting the websites of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus
Or the US Centers on Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. We apologize for any inconvenience. For questions pertaining to support groups, please call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: 1-888-613-2777. We remain open during our normal business hours.
For the latest information from MCB, please visit www.mass.gov/mcb, call 1-800-392-6450, or email MCBinfo@mass.gov.