OSCIL Annual Meeting: Celebrating Achievements and Addressing Future Challenges

On April 24, OSCIL held its annual meeting, bringing together program managers, consumers, and community members to celebrate the organization's achievements and discuss future challenges. Board President, Christina Battista, welcomed the guests present and reported on amendments to the bylaws and new board appointments that were made by proxy vote earlier in the month.

Congressman Seth Magaziner delivered remarks to underscore the critical role OSCIL plays in advocating for disability services. He highlighted how these services significantly enhance healthcare access and quality outcomes for all Americans, not just those on Medicaid, and expressed concern over potential funding cuts that threaten the sustainability of these essential services. However, he remained hopeful that with only a few more votes in Congress these cuts can be prevented, ensuring continued access to Medicaid and disability services. His speech emphasized the importance of our collective efforts to safeguard these vital resources for the future.

The meeting also provided a platform for program managers and consumers to share this year's accomplishments. They highlighted the profound impact of peer support, which has fostered a sense of community and empowerment among individuals with disabilities, and the assistive technology program that has had a particularly busy year. Additionally, new collaborations were announced, aimed at expanding OSCIL's reach within the community and ensuring that more individuals can access the services they need.

Program Manager, Corrine O'Donnell, speaks about the independent living services that she oversees.

Heidi Showstead, a participant in our womens' group, speaks on impact of peer support at OSCIL.

Josephine O. praises the ease the Gift of Hearing and how it has helped her to be social and enjoy life!

One of the standout programs spotlighted was the Gift of Hearing, which has been a treasure for those who have benefited from it. This program has provided hearing aids and support to individuals, significantly enhancing their ability to communicate and engage with the world around them.

This year saw the launch of the Deaf Peer Support Group, which provides a valuable space for individuals to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Effort also continued to develop an adult education and literacy class for deaf adults. These programs are designed to address the unique needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community, further enhancing OSCIL's comprehensive approach to disability services.

Executive Director, Mireille Sayaf, recognized Leslie Tracy and Heather Schey for their remarkable 10 years of dedicated service to OSCIL. Their commitment and contributions have been instrumental in advancing OSCIL's mission and supporting the community. We also recognized the 2025 recipients of the Catherine T Murray Scholarship – Sean Roth, Destinee Santos, Morgan Parks, Matthew Suk, and Paige Reynolds; Congressman Magaziner’s office issued recognition to each of the recipients as well.

The meeting concluded with an insightful panel discussion moderated by Program Development & Social Media Manager, Allyson DuPont. Panelists included:

• Allegra Scharff, Chief of Healthcare Equity and Olmstead Coordinator at the RI Department of Health

• James Rajotte, Director of Strategy and Innovation at from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services

• Bill Henning, Executive Director of the Boston Center for Independent Living

They discussed the origins and impact of the Olmstead Decision and state Olmstead Plans, highlighting how Rhode Island's first Olmstead Plan can be a transformative tool for enhancing independent living for all Rhode Islanders.

James and Allegra reflected on the process of developing the Plan and provided updates on the next steps. Bill Henning, an advocacy veteran involved in the development of all five of Massachusetts' Plans, shared valuable insights on the evolution of Olmstead and lessons learned in the Bay State. The audience engaged in discussions on various Olmstead issues, including employment, services, and other disability-related topics.

Bill also emphasized the importance of balancing advocacy to bring disability discussions to the forefront with the need for collaboration and civility once at the table. We need to "be loud" to see independent living and Olmstead through changing political and policy climates, but he clarified that this isn't always about physical voice; we can all be loud in our own ways, whether it is showing up at the state house to protest or sending emails to legislators every day to ensure that important issues keep their attention.

Overall, OSCIL continues to deliver innovative solutions that greatly improve the daily lives of our consumers. The Annual Meeting highlighted the importance of continued support and advocacy to ensure that disability services remain accessible and impactful. As Congressman Magaziner and our other speakers emphasized, the collective efforts of the community are crucial in safeguarding these services for the future. Whatever that future may hold, OSCIL remains committed to our mission and the positive impact we have on the lives of individuals with disabilities.