About Us

Partnering with Schools to Educate Students with Highly Specialized Needs

The Oregon Department of Education created statewide Regional Inclusive Services (RIS), originally Regional Programs, to ensure that students with low-incidence disabilities receive equitable access to specialized services across the state. RIS supports local school districts in educating students with highly specialized needs, while primary responsibility for each student’s education remains with their home district.

Our Mission. Through collaborative partnerships, Columbia Regional Inclusive Services provides special education services for students with low-incidence disabilities from birth through age 21. With specialized expertise in each disability, we offer direct instruction, coaching, consultation, professional development, assistive technology, and other support to meet the educational needs of our students.

Our Vision. All students will have high-quality education and experiences that prepare them to live as contributing citizens in their communities and to succeed in the life they choose. All individuals have the right to learn and work in a culturally responsive environment that is safe and honors differences. Families and communities are integral parts of each child’s educational experience and are valued as partners. Trust, shared skills, knowledge, and resources form the basis of building partnerships and collaborative teamwork.

Oregon's Regional Inclusive Services

Oregon's statewide network of Regional Inclusive Services includes eight regions that partner with their respective school districts and early childhood programs. Together, we provide specialized educational support for children with the following educational disabilities: deaf and hard of hearing (DHH), blind and low vision (BLV), DeafBlindness (DB), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), orthopedic impairment (OI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Because these disabilities occur at comparatively lower rates than others, the Regional Inclusive Services model allows highly specialized professionals to support multiple school communities. This statewide structure is not only more cost-effective, it also ensures that students across Oregon have equitable access to expert, high-quality services no matter where they live in our state.