New and Upcoming Publications From the TSBVI Curriculum Department

The TSBVI Curriculum Department remains dedicated to advancing the field by developing innovative resources for educators of students who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. They are proud to highlight some of their most recent publications and announce several upcoming projects currently in development to support specialized instruction. To explore their full range of professional tools and purchase the latest editions, please browse the TSBVI online store.  

Newest Publications

Essential Tools of the Trade for Teachers of Students who are Deafblind: A Guide for Completing Evaluations, Second Edition (2025)

This revised edition builds on the strengths of the original text with updated content, new chapters, and key concepts shaped by extensive feedback from educators and professionals. These improvements enhance clarity, usability, and relevance, ensuring the book remains a trusted, user-friendly resource for interdisciplinary teams. Designed as a practical, must-have tool, it supports Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), Teachers of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (TDHHs), Teachers of Students who are Deafblind (TDBs), and Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) in conducting critical evaluations, including the Functional Tactile-Bodily Evaluation, Functional Vision Evaluation (FVE), Communication Evaluation (including Functional Hearing), Learning Media Assessment (LMA), and Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Evaluation. Ready-to-use, accessible forms and checklists are provided to support a smooth evaluation process.

The Sciences of Literacy for Teachers of Students who are Blind, Deafblind, or Have Low Vision (2025)

A definitive professional resource for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI), Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), Teachers of Students who are Deafblind (TDB), and educational interveners, this comprehensive text bridges the gap between general literacy research, content knowledge, and specialized instructional needs by providing a framework for accessible, high-quality instruction tailored for all learners, including those with complex access needs. Built on the philosophy that every student possesses the capacity to read and write, the book empowers every professional to act as a literacy educator by implementing intentional, research-based practices across all environments. From integrating communication into daily routines to adapting foundational skills for braille and tactile media, this resource equips educators with the background knowledge and practical tools necessary to facilitate students’ continuous progress along the literacy continuum.

Coming Soon

Calendars for Students with Complex Access Needs, Including Those who are Deafblind (August 2026)

An updated and expanded edition of the foundational text by Robbie Blaha, this enhanced publication integrates current developmental research to provide a comprehensive and easy-to-implement framework for creating and using individualized calendar systems that support essential communication and time-related concepts. The text discusses a continuum of calendar types, from simple anticipation calendars to more complex daily and monthly systems, tailored to students’ specific needs. By connecting modern research to evidence-based practices, the guide provides updated strategies for assessing needs, selecting appropriate symbols, and fostering collaborative support between families and educators to create predictable environments that promote communication, facilitate transitions, and reduce anxiety.

Essential Tools of the Trade for Orientation and Mobility Specialists (December 2026)

As a newly developed part of the Essential Tools of the Trade series, this comprehensive professional resource is designed to guide Orientation and Mobility Specialists through every stage of assessment and service delivery for diverse populations. The text provides a robust framework for instructional strategies based on developmental sequences, spanning from Early Intervention to School-Age services for students accessing the general curriculum and those with complex access needs. This manual covers essential mobility tools and technology, offering detailed guidance. Beyond direct instruction, the book emphasizes professional management and advocacy, including caseload management, goal writing aligned with TEA/IEP standards, and collaboration strategies for working with families, school staff, and other agencies. Additional specialized content addresses the integration of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) in orientation and mobility instruction. 

Essential Tools of the Trade for Early Childhood Teachers of Children who are Blind, Deafblind, or have Low Vision (September 2027)

Another volume in the Essential Tools of the Trade series is in development, focusing on the unique educational needs of the youngest learners, from birth to age five. This text will address early childhood intervention through a multi-sensory and developmental lens, incorporating research-based strategies for assessment and instruction. It will provide a framework for supporting infants and preschoolers in developing foundational skills, including those within the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Key topics include conducting specialized evaluations, the importance of play-based learning, and implementing individualized routines that build rapport and facilitate learning across contexts. This publication will serve as a critical guide for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) professionals to create accessible, predictable, and enriching environments for children who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, including those with complex access needs.