The Delaware-Union Educational Service Center provides multiple services for children with special needs. The Big Walnut, Buckeye Valley, Fairbanks, North Union and Olentangy school districts are committed to the policy that all children can learn and that there is a need for developmentally appropriate curriculum for every child. Together the schools provide services for students identified as Multihandicapped, Hearing Handicapped, Visually Handicapped, Orthopedically and/or Other Health Handicapped, Severe Behavior Handicapped, Developmentally Handicapped, Specific Learning Disabled, and preschoolers with disabilities.

An educational program that is designed to provide skills leading to independence as an adult is developed for each student on the basis of the evaluation of each child. The programs are developmentally sequential and designed to provide objectives leading to one or more occupational skills and training that addresses the individual's handicapping condition.

A continuum of service options are offered including: general education, supplemental services, individual small group instruction, special class/learning center, and home instruction for each child identified. Related services are offered to students when appropriate. These services may include: adapted physical education, aide, attendant, guide, interpreter, audio support, medical support, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation and mobility training, reading, school psychological support, speech and language therapy, supervision, vocational special education, work study, and transportation.

The ESC assures that procedural safeguards for handicapped children are in place. The strategies include: identification of handicapped children, confidentiality , pre-evaluation, multifactored evaluation, individual education program activities, parent surrogate, and impartial due process hearings.

All of the districts make every effort to serve children in a variety of programs. Many special education classes in our schools are approved by the state as Alternative Service Delivery Options (ASDO). Each building has developed a plan that is site specific to serve children. Some children are served in the regular classroom, while others receive services in a special setting. Special Education teachers often team with regular teachers to better meet the needs of the students.

Technology is continually incorporated into the instruction of special needs programs. The ESC provides support for staff development to enhance the programs for special needs children.