A white woman with a short brown ponytail is sitting in a manual wheelchair in an accessible kitchen. Her legs and wheelchair are pulled up beneath a cut out to the base cabinet beneath the sink while she washes dishes. She is wearing a short sleeve blue top with black pants. The kitchen has gray marble countertops, dark brown cabinets, and a light gray floral tile backsplash.

Independent Living Skills

Centers for Independent Living teach a wide range of skills needed to live independently and manage life with a disability. Skills training is available to persons with disabilities in almost any topic where there is a need for more independence. CILs work with individuals to increase their skills which can help them gain more control of their lives.

Skills training can include basic everyday responsibilities such as: self-care, meal preparation, budgeting, and arranging transportation. It also can address housing needs, teaching individuals the importance of self-advocacy, one’s need for accommodations and/or rights in the community.

Life skills training is goal directed and does not involve long-term case management or therapeutic intervention.

Housing Assistance

Rhode Island is currently facing a housing shortage within our community. Though this process takes time, OSCIL is here to help.

OSCIL staff can assist you to discuss barriers to housing, accessibility needs and areas of preference. To be eligible the individual MUST be self-directed and have a disability. We can help individuals to apply for housing in their jurisdiction and areas of need.

If you or someone you know are homeless or in imminent danger of homeless, please call the Coordinated Entry System at 401-277-4316.

Their knowledgeable staff can assist you with shelter and housing resources based on a survey of your needs.

Regular hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm.

Weekend and holiday hours vary.