Introduction: This article describes the most prevalent visual conditions and other demographic characteristics of 5,931 young children with severe visual impairments in 28 states in the United States, the largest sample reported to date. The information presented in this article can assist in planning and implementing programs. Method: The data were collected at the time of entry into specialized early intervention programs for young children with visual impairments through reviews of records, interviews, and direct observations. They were sent to Babies Count: The National Registry for Children with Visual Impairments, Birth to 3 Years at the American Printing House for the Blind. The data were collected and entered between January 2005 and April 2011. Results: Cortical visual impairment, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and optic nerve hypoplasia were the three most prevalent diagnoses. Approximately 60% were identified as being legally blind, and 65% had disabilities in addition to visual impairments. The mean age of the children at the time of diagnosis was 4.9 (SD ϭ 5.7) months, referral to specialized programs was at 10.5 (SD ϭ 7.8) months, and entry into specialized programs was at 11.6 (SD ϭ 8.0) months. There was an average lag of 5.6 months between the diagnosis and referral. Discussion: Cortical visual impairment, ROP, and optic nerve hypoplasia continue to be the leading causes of severe, uncorrectable visual impairments in children in the United States. ROP appears to be decreasing in prevalence; however, more children with ROP appear to have additional disabilities. The lag of 5.6 months between diagnosis and referral, a longer lag than was previously reported, is of concern. Implications for practitioners: Information about the characteristics of children with severe uncorrectable visual conditions is valuable for communicating with families, planning and implementing early intervention and educational programs, and collaborating with medical professionals. Considerable progress has been made in preventing blindness in developed countries during the past century. However, a small percentage of young children continue to be diagnosed with uncorrectable visual impairments that may impede their optimal development and learning. Children with light perception or less visual ability are at a particular risk for developmental delay and adverse outcomes (Hatton, Bailey, Burchinal, & Ferrell, 1997). Consequently, these children need CEU Article

Introduction Constant time delay has been identified as an evidence-based practice to teach print sight words and picture recognition (Browder, Ahlbrim-Delzell, Spooner, Mims, & Baker, 2009). For the study presented here, we tested the effectiveness of constant time delay to teach new braille words. Methods A single-subject multiple baseline across behaviors design was used to investigate the use of constant time delay to teach recognition of highly motivating braille words to four students with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities. Results Each participant learned all words taught (9–12 words each). A functional relation was demonstrated for all four participants by immediate changes in trend from baseline to intervention. Discussion This is the first published report of the successful use of constant time delay to teach braille word recognition to students with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities. An attending cue was introduced into the procedures for students with a low number of unprompted correct responses, and results were positive. Possible sources of variability in word retention are discussed. Implications for practitioners Results suggest constant time delay can be adapted and implemented with braille readers in typical teaching environments.

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Introduction Many students with adventitious vision loss or progressive vision loss need to transition from print to braille as a primary literacy medium. It is important that this transition is handled efficiently so that the student can have continued access to a literacy medium and make progress in the core curriculum. For this study, we used constant time delay to teach literary braille contractions and Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation (hereafter, Nemeth Code) braille symbols to learners with visual impairments who were making the transition from print to braille. Methods A single-subject, multiple-probe research design was used to test the effectiveness and efficiency of constant time delay to teach literary braille or Nemeth Code. Three female students, aged 13 to 15 years, participated at a specialized school for students with visual impairments. The students’ braille and math instructor delivered interventions in the classroom. Procedural fidelity and interobserver agreement data were collected. Results Two students each learned 40 short-form literary braille contractions, and one student learned 28 Nemeth Code symbols throughout the study. Students appeared to generalize learning after instruction with the first word set to identify similar contractions. Students maintained learning throughout the study at high levels. Visual analysis of the data suggests a functional relationship between constant time delay and contraction identification. Discussion This study replicated previous work (Hooper, Ivy, & Hatton, 2014) to expand understanding of the scope of the usefulness of time delay in braille education. Implications for practitioners For students making the transition from print to braille, constant time delay may be an efficient method to help students acquire braille. The efficiency itself may increase students’ confidence and motivation to learn braille.