Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL)

02/21/2026

When disabled people experience joy, it's often misread as proof we don't need support. Joy doesn't erase disability—it shows that access is working.

02/20/2026

Today is National Caregivers Day, and we want to celebrate the incredible individuals who make independent living possible.

Whether you are a family member, a friend, or a professional, your support provides freedom. You help so many navigate their daily lives to remain independent!

To all the caregivers in Rhode Island: We see your hard work, your compassion, and your dedication. Thank you for being the backbone of independence!

02/19/2026

KINGSTON, R.I. – Feb. 18, 2026 – The University of Rhode Island’s OLLI program is putting “old” on hold. This winter’s program cover model, Bob Bianchini, sports a shirt bearing that confident message—and he has more than 1,700 “classmates” joining him in that belief and practice....

02/19/2026

RICDHH NEWS

Summer Internship Opportunity at RICDHH

02/19/2026

This is a good laugh on the surface, but the sad reality is that Providence, and many other cities and towns in our state, do a poor job of ensuring that sidewalks and streets are safe and passable for ALL residents.

VIDEO: Wheelchair Rider Uses Highway Because Providence Streets Aren’t Clear

02/18/2026

This special gift has opened a whole new world for me." Sincerely, Daniel R.

We love hearing how the Gift of Hearing program changes lives! Daniel recently shared his gratitude for the team, including Angela and Ray, noting that he can now enjoy church services and evenings with friends and family without the struggle of high TV volumes.

We collaborate with the University of Rhode Island (URI) Speech & Hearing Center to bring hearing within reach for Rhode Islanders. If you a Rhode Island resident looking to regain your independence through better hearing, visit our Gift of Hearing page to learn about eligibility and how to start your application, or contact us today!

🌐 oscil.org/assistive-technology/gift-of-hearing

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02/18/2026

Last Friday, our Board of Directors came together for a meaningful day of reflection and planning for the year ahead. We’re grateful for their leadership, lived experience, and commitment to advancing independent living across Rhode Island.

Thank you to Save The Bay - Narragansett Bay for hosting us in such a beautiful setting.

02/17/2026

A Message from Theo Braddy: We Cannot Fix What We Refuse to Define

Listen to the audio version of this message: https://bit.ly/4tHk8c6

Hello again. This is Theo W. Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, bringing you another message. This one I call “We Cannot Fix What We Refuse to Define”.

I recently logged off a high-level stakeholder meeting with a disturbing realization. People in the room were very smart. They were well-intentioned. They were responsible for implementing supports and services for people with disabilities, and yet they were making major decisions about Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) without a shared understanding of what those services actually are.

The conversation moved quickly, but underneath it all was something more basic and more troubling. We were not speaking the same language. Core services were described in ways that did not reflect the lived realities of people who rely on them every day. Terms were used interchangeably, imprecisely, and sometimes incorrectly.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tYiYth

Image: Group of 16 gathers on a sidewalk during NCIL's 2025 March to U.S. Capitol, including Theo Braddy and Victor Pineda. Participants are standing in front of a banner that says ADA35 with March and Rally sponsor logos. They are holding signs reading “Listen to Disabled Voices,” “Disability Rights are Human Rights,” and “Speak Up, Stand Out, Fight Back.”