Nearly 50 community members, advocates, and professionals gathered for the recent quarterly meeting of the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC), where collaboration and conversation took center stage.
Kevin and Chris welcomed attendees and set the tone for a highly interactive session focused on listening, learning, and collective problem-solving.
A Collaborative Approach to Big Ideas…and Input for the 5 year Plan
The highlight of the meeting was a dynamic,roundtable discussion led by Amy Grattan, Executive Director of the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities. With support from Sherlock Center staff, participants broke into six focus groups, each centered on a key topic impacting the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
Attendees selected the topics most meaningful to them, moved to the table hosting that particular discussion, and rotated through two sessions, ensuring a wide range of voices and perspectives were heard. The room quickly filled with energy as lively discussions unfolded, with facilitators capturing insights, concerns, and ideas at every table.
Six Focus Areas, One Shared Goal
At the conclusion of the discussions, each group shared their top two or three priorities. While each topic had its own focus, a common thread emerged: the importance of connection, access, and person-centered support.
- Improving Quality of Life
Participants emphasized the importance of social opportunities, strong community supports, and empowering individuals to make their own decisions. At the heart of this conversation was a shared goal: helping people build a true sense of belonging while achieving the independence they want. - Early Intervention and Education
This group explored ways to strengthen early intervention services, improve educational experiences, and expand access to childcare and family supports. The discussion also highlighted opportunities to improve systems overall for better long-term outcomes. - Social and RecreationAccess to meaningful social experiences and recreational activities was a key priority. Participants discussed not only creating opportunities, but also ensuring individuals can maintain relationships and fully participate in community life.
- Informal and Formal Community Supports
Ensuring people have the supports they need, when they need them, was central to this group. Conversations focused on strengthening the direct support professional (DSP) workforce and providing better guidance and resources for families and caregivers. - Health and Well-being
This group highlighted health as a foundational priority, including access to medical professionals, safety, and the role of diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Looking ahead, participants also began identifying emerging community health needs for the next five years. - Technology and Independence
Technology was viewed as a powerful tool for increasing independence, from communication to daily living. Participants explored both low-tech and high-tech solutions and discussed the importance of making technology accessible and usable for everyone.
Turning Conversation into Action
This format not only encouraged participation but also reinforced the value of shared experiences and collective insight. By inviting attendees to identify top priorities, the session helped surface the issues that matter most to the community…and will help inform future planning and advocacy efforts.
Kevin closed the meeting by thanking the facilitators and participants whose ideas and energy made the session a success, including M
orna Murray, CEO, of Disability Rights RI. He also shared updates on upcoming events, encouraging continued engagement and collaboration.
As the RIDDC moves forward with its five year plan, the voices heard at this meeting will play a critical role in shaping initiatives, strengthening systems, and improving the quality of life for Rhode Islanders with developmental disabilities. At the same time, the information shared in this meeting will continue to support the ongoing efforts of the RIDDC, The Paul Sherlock Center on Disabilities, and Disability Rights Rhode Island.
