Living with Functional Needs on Cape Cod and the Islands

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Founded in 1984, CORD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening dignity, opportunity, and full participation for individuals who experience functional or participation challenges or support needs. We work throughout Cape Cod and the Islands to ensure that community members have pathways to meaningful involvement, personal stability, and the tools needed to shape their own lives.

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Preparing Youth for Lifelong Success

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Who We Are

Since 1984, CORD has worked to strengthen opportunities, equal rights, and community participation for individuals who experience functional or participation challenges or support needs. At CORD, we provide services, guidance, and mentoring that help people shape their own lives and stay connected to their communities.

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

3 hours ago

CORD will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 26 due to no power. Check back for updates. Here is an update from Barnstable County on shelters. If you're looking for gas stations, this link has a list. https://www.capecod.gov/2026/02/25/gas-station-availability-update/MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 24, 2026 Evening Update Barnstable County emergency officials announce that an additional regional shelter will open tonight to support residents impacted by ongoing power outages and cold conditions across Cape Cod. A new regional shelter will open this evening at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School at 8:00 PM, located at 351 Pleasant Lake Avenue in Harwich (02645), to support residents impacted by ongoing power outages and cold conditions across Cape Cod. With this opening, there are now three regional shelters operating in Barnstable County, in addition to the regional shelter on Nantucket. Current Open Shelters Barnstable (Hyannis) Barnstable Intermediate School 895 Falmouth Road, Hyannis Dennis/Yarmouth Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School 210 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth Harwich Cape Cod Regional Technical High School 351 Pleasant Lake Avenue, Harwich Nantucket Nantucket Intermediate School 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket Transportation Assistance CCRTA bus service operates until 8:00 PM and resumes at 5:00 AM. Residents needing transportation to a regional shelter may call CCRTA/RTA at 508-385-1430, Option 2 (service subject to road conditions). Residents who are unable to arrange transportation and have an urgent need to relocate to a shelter may contact their local police or fire department for assistance. Transportation support will be coordinated based on availability, road conditions, and operational capacity. Who Should Consider Going to a Shelter Residents without heat, those with medical needs, or those in unsafe living conditions due to extended power outages are encouraged to seek shelter. Residents should arrive with essential items including medications, personal supplies, and any necessary medical or mobility equipment. Pets are permitted at regional shelters; residents should bring pet supplies if possible. Regional sheltering is coordinated through Barnstable County in partnership with local municipalities, the American Red Cross, AmeriCorps Cape Cod, the Medical Reserve Corps, and regional volunteer partners supporting response operations. For the most current shelter information and updates: ... See MoreSee Less

Gas Station Availability Update - Barnstable County

www.capecod.gov

Visit this page on the Barnstable County, Cape Cod website for more information about Gas Station Availability Update.

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

5 hours ago

Winter Storm Update | February 25, 2026, 10:00 AMGood morning, Barnstable. We are now into day two of post-storm emergency response, and today’s task remains the same, opening up secondary roads across Town.📌 Reminders: an open road is a passable road. It will, in most cases, remain snow-covered, narrow, and residents should expect hard pack conditions within neighborhoods. Additional cleanup efforts will not begin until all roads are open and safely passable. 🌲 Downed trees and power lines continue to present major challenges. The Department of Public Works is working closely with Eversource and together are prioritizing efforts where roads remain impassable. Once wires are removed, DPW can resume snow removal efforts in these impacted areas. 🚨 If you are experiencing an emergency that requires access assistance, please call 911.⚡ To report down power lines or for power restoration updates, please contact Eversource directly at 1-800-592-2000 or visit: https://www.eversource.com/cg/customer/reportoutage Please note, utility providers often share conservative estimates during major events to account for worst-case conditions, and those timelines may improve as assessments continue.🏠 The Regional Emergency Shelter remains open at Barnstable Intermediate School, located at 895 Falmouth Road, Hyannis. We appreciate your continued patience as this multi-day cleanup effort continues.If you must travel, please use the utmost caution. Stay safe, Barnstable.#barnstablema #emergencyresponse #publicworks #snowremoval ... See MoreSee Less

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

5 hours ago

📣 Community Advisory: Water Usage During a Power OutageAs widespread power outages continue to impact our community, please be aware that our water suppliers are facing the same situation.As a result, residents are encouraged to limit non-essential water use where possible. Simple steps, such as:👚 Postponing laundry🛁 Limiting long showers🚰 Delaying other discretionary water usecan help reduce strain on local systems.This is not a formal restriction or cause for alarm, but rather an important, proactive community-wide safety message. Conserving water where possible helps ensure our water purveyors and fire prevention and protection services across Town maintain the critical resources and redundancy they need while awaiting full power restoration.We appreciate your cooperation and continued support as we work together to keep Barnstable safe. Barnstable Police Department Cotuit Fire Department Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire & Rescue Department Hyannis Firefighters West Barnstable Fire Department Barnstable Fire Department #townofbarnstable #emergencyresponse #communityfirst ... See MoreSee Less

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

7 hours ago

https://disabilityscoop.com/2026/02/… ... See MoreSee Less

Altering IDEA Poses 'Substantial Risk' To Students With Disabilities, Advocates Warn

www.disabilityscoop.com

Federal lawmakers are considering taking up legislation that would amend IDEA, a move that advocates fear could open the door to broader changes amid an already tumultuous time for special education.

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

8 hours ago

Good morning all, Marissa here with updated shelter information:Storm updates.Cape cod is really feeling the effects of the blizzard of 2026. I wanted to share some updated shelter information with you. For Overnight Regional Shelters Barnstable Intermediate School — 895 Falmouth Road, Hyannis, MADennis-Yarmouth Regional High School — 210 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, MANantucket Intermediate School — 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MACape Cod Regional Technical High School - 351 Pleasant Lake Ave, Harwich MA 02645Previously Nauset High School (Eastham) was open but is now closed due to heating issues; residents were relocated to the Dennis-Yarmouth or Barnstable shelters. Warming Centers & Daytime Support LocationsThese aren’t overnight shelters, but they offer heat, charging stations, rest, and basic support during daytime hours: (IF you do not see hours posted, call ahead if possible to make sure they are still open) Brewster Town Hall — 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MAOpen today (Feb 25) from about 9 AM to 4 PM. brewster-ma.govChatham Community Center — 702 Main Street, Chatham, MAFalmouth High School — 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MAHarwich Public Safety Facility — 183 Sisson Road, Harwich, MAMashpee Wampanoag Tribal Community & Government Center — 483 Great Neck Rd S, Mashpee, MAOrleans Town Hall — 19 School Road, Orleans, MAProvincetown Community Center — 2 Mayflower Street, Provincetown, MATruro Community Center — 7 Standish Way, North Truro, MAMonomoy Regional High School- 75 Oak Street Harwich MA 02645 7:30AM-3:30PMTransportation & AssistanceThe Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) is offering transportation to regional shelters when conditions allow — call 508-385-1430 (Option 2) for assistance. Barnstable CountyIf you cannot reach a shelter under your own power and your home is unsafe, contact your local police or fire department for emergency transport. ... See MoreSee Less

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

1 day ago

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

1 day ago

Warming Centers & Shelter Information on Cape Cod (What We Know So Far) 2/24/2026 @9:50 AM - Barnstable County

www.capecod.gov

Visit this page on the Barnstable County, Cape Cod website for more information about Warming Centers & Shelter Information on Cape Cod (What We Know So Far) 2/24/2026 @9:50 AM.

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

1 day ago

Like many of you, our team is feeling the effects of the blizzard. We are snowed in and some are still without power. As we dig out of this, we will be closed for another day with our sights set on reopening on Thursday, 2/26/26. Be safe. We look forward to seeing you on the other side of this blizzard. ... See MoreSee Less

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled updated their status.

1 day ago

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CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled

1 day ago

FYI for Harwich Residents! ... See MoreSee Less

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At CORD, you are family. Join us today!

By becoming a member of CORD, you support community members across the Cape and the Islands who experience functional or participation challenges. Your membership helps us continue providing essential services to those who need them most.

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Upcoming Events

Take a look at our upcoming events. We’ll see you there!

July marks the anniversary of ADA Day! Check out CORD’s social media to see what events and workshops are happening!

Schools out but CORD Youth Services is in! Check out CORD’s social media to see what Summer Workshops for Students 14-26 years old are happening!

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