VIDBE-Q Volume 64 Issue 4
5
While services for infants and toddlers with visual impairments is a
subset of the bigger field of education for students with visual impairments,
it is also considered by some as a completely separate field of study and
practice. Early Intervention (IDEA Part C services for children aged 0 to 36
months), including services for children with visual impairments, has unique
service models, methods of teaching, and pre and in service training
requirements. Babies may grow up to be 4
th
graders, but babies are
different than 4
th
graders!
This issue has it all! Dorinda Rife is calling us to action for
participation in Babies Count, the only registry of its kind in the US. This
national registry gathers demographic information about babies, their
families, and services designed to support them. This information not only
informs the field about the unique characteristics of our babies and toddlers
but will also inform us longitudinally by helping to define the population of
all children with visual impairments. Mindy Ely and Maribeth Lartz highlight
the teacher preparation standards for those who provide early intervention
services to children with visual impairments and their families. Nana
Dewald introduces the concept of tele-intervention using virtual
technologies to provide services to children and families. This service
model is becoming more necessary and effective, though more research
