A Year of Impact at OSCIL - Disability Services in Rhode Island

On Thursday, April 23rd, community members, consumers, staff, board leaders, and partners gathered at the Warwick Public Library for OSCIL’s 38th Annual Meeting, celebrating another year of impact in disability services in Rhode Island. The morning provided an opportunity to reflect on the past fiscal year and highlight how OSCIL’s programs, advocacy, and consumer-led work translated into real outcomes for people with disabilities across Rhode Island. We also recognized the leadership and dedication of OSCIL’s Board of Directors and staff, whose guidance and daily work make this impact possible.

FY 2024–2025 Disability Service Highlights

Throughout FY 2024–2025, OSCIL continued to deepen our reach while staying rooted in person-centered, cross-disability independent living principles. Executive Director, Mireille Sayaf, spoke broadly about the year’s outcomes, including a few points that stand apart:

• 614 individuals served through our disability services.

• 2,300+ requests for resources and program referrals.

• More than 60% of OSCIL staff identify as people with disabilities.

Across programs, OSCIL focused on practical supports, systems advocacy, and community-building that helped consumers live with greater independence, dignity, and autonomy.

Program Reports: Disability Services That Remove Barriers

The heart of OSCIL’s Annual Meeting was hearing, in people’s own words, how independence takes shape in everyday life through relationships, access, and the right supports at the right time.

Myles Husband‑Brawn, a member of OSCIL’s Peer Support & Advocacy Group, spoke candidly about how peer spaces helped him build genuine friendships while also stepping into advocacy work. His story reflected something larger than policy wins or programs: the power of connection to change how people see themselves—and what they believe is possible.

Through a prepared statement, guests heard from Jenaya Smith, a frequent participant in OSCIL’s Lunch & Learn sessions, about how the gatherings offered more than information and pizza—they created consistency, community, and a place to learn without judgment. Beth’s updates on Peer Support underscored what these stories made clear: when people are supported by peers who understand their experiences, confidence follows.

The conversation then turned to daily living supports that are often invisible, but deeply consequential. Kevin Gilbody spoke about the profound impact of services he received through OSCIL’s Gift of Hearing and Smart Home Technology programs. Beyond enhancing his hearing and making his home life more workable, our disability services restored his sense of security and confidence to stay connected with the community.

The themes of safety and dignity were mirrored in Antonio Rosario’s emotional reflections on receiving home modifications, assistive technology, and smart home technology program while navigating an ALS diagnosis and the sudden changes it brought to his life. He spoke about the relief of knowing his home could adapt alongside him, and the sense of security that comes from having supports in place before a crisis hits. In finding new ways to be independent and accessing the supports to make that happen, Antonio not only reclaimed dignity he felt he had lost, but also found what he needed to push through a moment of darkness.

Heidi Showstead, a longtime OSCIL consumer, shared how the Out of the Box Program supported her through a period of personal reset and recovery. Flexible funding allowed her to focus on getting stronger physically and holistically, reminding attendees how critical it is to have disability services programs that respond to real life, not rigid systems and medically-modeled care.

Maria Alves highlighted how Deaf Services helps her secure reliable access to communication while navigating healthcare, benefits, and housing. She reminds us that access to language and communication is foundational, not optional, when it comes to maintaining independence and well‑being.

The program concluded with Senior Program Manager, Allyson DuPont, who premiered a short video spotlighting Youth Transition’s 2025 Quest for Independence camp session. Featuring youth participants building real‑world experiences and confidence together, the video promotes the program’s mission to give youth a strong foundation for their journey to adult independence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrl7xisBSvI

Looking Ahead, Together

At our Annual Meeting, one message came through clearly: real impact lives in real stories. Behind every program statistic is a person navigating change, building connection, or reclaiming a sense of control over their life. The voices shared throughout the meeting reminded us that independence is not a fixed destination, but an ongoing process shaped by access, community, and trust in the ability to define one's own path.

The year behind us demonstrated what’s possible when supports are flexible, consumer‑driven, and rooted in lived experience. As OSCIL moves forward, that same commitment will continue to guide our work: listening first, responding with intention, and ensuring people with disabilities across Rhode Island have what they need to live with dignity, stability, and choice.

At the same time, the need for this work has never been more urgent. Access, community stability, and essential services are increasingly at risk, even as demand continues to grow. Meeting this moment will require continued investment, engagement, and collective responsibility.

If these stories resonate with you, we invite you to stand with OSCIL and support disability services in Rhode Island. You can support this work by:

• becoming a member,

• making a donation, or

• learning more about volunteering.

Each action helps sustain the community‑based, person‑centered services that allow people with disabilities across Rhode Island to not just get by, but to thrive.

Together, we can ensure independence remains possible, protected, and powered by the people who live it every day.