Applications are now being accepted for the

Catherine T. Murray Memorial Scholarship. 

Click here for more information and to print out an application. 

The application deadline is April 1, 2012.

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RI Foundation Funding Supports OSCIL Program for Visually Impaired

The Ocean State Center for Independent Living announces that we are the recipient of special program funding from the RI Foundation to support our “Living With Macular Degeneration” program.  This program provides assistance and services to those individuals who are visually impaired due to macular disease to promote increased independence in their home and/or community.  Click here to view a flyer about this event.

Any individual having Macular Degeneration who could benefit from services to enhance independence is encouraged to contact OSCIL.   We can provide peer support, connection to community support services; and assistance with the acquisition and purchase of special assistive devices or equipment that could increase independence.

 Please contact us at 738-1013 x 13 and speak with Susan or email her at info@oscil.org  

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Project Endeavor

February 28th, 6pm - 8pm - A representative from Project Endeavor will provide an informational presentation at Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI 02889. You are invited to come and learn more about services and products that Project Endeavor offers, such as affordable high speed internet access and mobile devices up to 50% off discount for qualified deaf and hard of hearing people. RSVP by Feb. 21st, by calling 401-256-5511 or email: cdhh@cdhh.ri.gov.

This event is sponsored by RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss Association of RI, Office of Rehabilitation Services, Ocean State Center for Independent Living, RI Association of the Deaf and PARI.

For more information about Project Endeavor, please visit the website: www.projectendeavor.com.

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The Winter 2011/2012 edition of our newsletter,

Signs of Independence is now available for your reading pleasure! 

Click to here to read it.  (You can also print it out if you wish).

 

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To view a video on how to use the AutoMark Voting Machine,

please click here.

 

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OSCIL Receives Tufts Award

OSCIL is pleased to announce that we were awarded a third year grant to continue our Home Sweet Accessible Home initiative, which focuses on helping seniors prevent falls and injuries in their homes. To date, over 150 individuals have had their homes or lives made safer thanks to the generosity of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Inc. award to OSCIL.

 Through home visits and assessments of individual needs, OSCIL independent living specialists identify and provide equipment and minor modifications to make homes safer and more accessible. Examples of some types of equipment we have provided include grab bars, bed rails, tub benches, raised toilet seats and interior and exterior railings. Persons age 60 or older with limited incomes may be eligible for this program.

 Tufts Health Plan launched the Tufts Health Plan Foundation in 2007. The Foundation’s focus is Healthy Aging – improving the lives of adults 60 and older. Through the programs Tufts funds in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, they hope to elevate the well being of older adults to enable them to live healthier lives.

For further information, please call the OSCIL office at 738-1013 ext. 13.

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RHODE ISLANDERS WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS

URGED TO ENROLL IN REGISTRY

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) urges those with special healthcare needs to enroll in the Special Needs Emergency Registry. Enrolling in the Registry does not guarantee assistance, but it does allow local and state emergency officials to plan for, respond to, and care for Rhode Islanders with disabilities, chronic conditions, and other special healthcare needs in an emergency such as Hurricane Irene.  HEALTH is working with municipalities to provide as close to real time information as possible in advance of hurricanes.

People with life-sustaining equipment that need electricity should contact their electricity provider and inform them of specific needs, if they haven't already done so.

Should someone with life-sustaining medical equipment need to go to a shelter, emergency medical assessment teams will be available to create a care plan for that individual. Those planning to go to a shelter should bring at least a three (3) day supply of medications.
 

WHO SHOULD ENROLL

                          
Any Rhode Islander, regardless of age, who has a chronic condition, disability, special healthcare need, or may require additional assistance during a time of emergency. These include:

* Those on home oxygen, a respirator, ventilator, dialysis, pacemaker, or are insulin dependent;
* Those with mobility issues: use a wheelchair, walker, or cane;
* Those that are visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing, or Deaf;
* Those developmental or mental health disabilities; or
* Use assistive animals or a prosthesis.

HOW TO ENROLL

Visit www.health.ri.gov/emregistry to complete an enrollment online, where the information is added into the registry immediately. A printable form is available on the website and can be returned by mail.
If an individual cannot complete the enrollment form themselves, a family member or caregiver can enroll the individual on their behalf. Strict confidentiality is maintained at all times and only emergency management and response agencies have access to the information in the Registry.