Purpose of Regional Inclusive Services
Oregon's 13,000+ students who experience visual impairment, orthopedic impairment, deafness or hard of hearing, deaf-blindness, traumatic brain injury and/or autism spectrum disorder need an appropriate and accessible education in their home school district. Regional Inclusive Services provides training, technical tools, and additional support to educators so that all school districts, no matter their size or location, can deliver an inclusive education.
Regional Inclusive Services recently changed its name from Regional Programs to more specifically and accurately describe its function. Inclusive practices ensure that students with disabilities have opportunities to learn alongside their nondisabled peers in their neighborhood schools and communities. The statewide program consists of the Oregon Department of Education and several education service districts, school districts and other community agencies who work in partnership to ensure educators and schools across Oregon are equipped with the tools, skills and resources to deliver an accessible education for all children.
Coordination and planning for each Region is the responsibility of the Regional Inclusive Services Advisory Council with representation from local education agencies and parents of children served by their Regional Inclusive Services team. Statewide coordination is provided by a Regional Inclusive Services Management Team, consisting of the Regional Program Regional Inclusive Services Directors, staff in the ODE’s Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities, and the Director of the School for the Deaf.
The specialized services provided are not generally available through local programs or Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) programs due to the small number of children eligible for and needing these services. Services include, but are not limited to: specially designed instruction in academic areas, Braille, language development, sign language, orientation and mobility, use of technology for communication, independent living skills, play and social skills, low vision services, assistive technology, and transition services; and related services such as audiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Consultation and training are provided to local education staff and parents to assist teams to implement the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The need for these services is identified through the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or the Individualized Education Plans (IEP) process.
Regional Inclusive Services Team
Resources
Contact:
Georgeann Harty