Living Independently
What is independent living?
Every Rhode Islander has the right to choose where they live. There are many ways to live independently and thrive as a member of your community. Here are some options for living independently.
- Living in your own apartment with community based supports*.
- Living with a chosen roommate or roommates. Your roommates can be whoever you want and they may or may not need supports themselves.
- You can own your own home or lease an apartment and choose a roommate who is also paid to provide supports to you. You may want to hire someone as your employee to live with you. You may want someone to live with you and be available in case of emergency but is not considered staff.
- You may also want to live with a life partner, husband or wife. It’s up to you and the people you intend to share your home.
*Community-based supports can also help individuals learn new skills, and support them with daily activities, solving problems, interacting with people, and deciding what to do with their free time.
The Ocean State Center for Independent Living provides a range of services to enhance, through self-direction, the quality of life of persons with disability and to promote integration into the community. Whether you're living in your own home or an apartment, OSCIL offers support tailored to your unique housing needs. Their services include home modifications for accessibility, application assistance, and assistive technology and smart home devices to help you be more independent. They also provide IL skills training and peer support to help navigate independent living, empowering you to make informed decisions and maintain your independence in the community.
For more information about OSCIL’s services call 401-738-1013 or click here to visit oscil.org.
