Massachusetts action guide · Verified July 29, 2026
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Not started or approaching school exit

Connect Chapter 688, DDS, and MassAbility

Confirm the school referral while separately starting adult-agency eligibility and employment services.

Official sources checked 2026-07-29

Start here

MassAbility services for students and youth

Before you start

  • IEP, transition assessments, graduation or age-22 date, Chapter 688 status, Summary of Performance, employment goals, work experiences, disability records, accommodations, and agency contacts.

Who to contact

Use the official destination above, the DDS Area Office assigned by city or town, the service coordinator, the operating agency, or the exact contact on the controlling notice.

Find the DDS Area Office assigned to the city or town

Step by step

  1. Ask the IEP team whether a Chapter 688 referral was submitted at least two years before exit when applicable.
  2. Do not treat the referral as an adult-agency application; submit the DDS application separately.
  3. Contact MassAbility for Pre-ETS or Career Services and track that intake separately.

Expected next

A verified Chapter 688 referral status, DDS application event, and MassAbility contact or eligibility event.

Save this proof

IEP and referral proof, adult-agency applications, MassAbility contact, records supplied, notices, and next dates.

If this stalls or the answer is no

Contact the school's special-education liaison, the Chapter 688/Bureau of Transition Planning route, or the nearest MassAbility office and ask who owns the next event.

Beyond Childhood planning aid

Connect Chapter 688, DDS, and MassAbility checklist

A Beyond Childhood planning aid derived from the cited official sources.

  • Owner and date started
  • Documents supplied
  • Confirmation or notice
  • Current status
  • Next event and date
  • Escalation contact

Derived from Chapter 688 Turning 22 referral guide, MassAbility services for students and youth, MassAbility Career Services

Official resources

Limits

Chapter 688 planning, DDS eligibility, and MassAbility eligibility are separate processes.

Beyond Childhood’s checklists and prompts are planning aids derived from official sources. They are not official forms, legal advice, eligibility decisions, or guarantees of funding, capacity, quality, or service.

Checked sources

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