This page is for a community conversation about The Blind Girls’ Guide to Puberty. Blind and low-vision readers are especially invited to share what they learned, what they wish they had known, and what they would add. You do not need to rate the booklet to take part.
About this resource
Emma-Mae Schmidt, 2019. A free puberty booklet written by a blind author for blind and low-vision young people and families.
Download the booklet PDF. Visit SPEVI for the accessible Word version and source information.
BSAN review by Laura Millar, co-founder of BSAN
Written by blind author Emma-Mae Schmidt, The Blind Girls’ Guide to Puberty speaks directly to blind young people. It explains puberty, periods, and menstrual products in straightforward language, with practical descriptions that don’t assume a visual demonstration is enough. I appreciate that it takes blind readers’ questions seriously and gives them useful information about their bodies.
This is a focused puberty guide, not a complete sexuality curriculum.
Current tampon guidance
The booklet includes tampon-use instructions written in 2019. Current FDA guidance says to follow the product label, use the lowest absorbency needed, change tampons every 4 to 8 hours, and never wear one for more than 8 hours.
Join the community conversation
What was useful to you? What do you wish the booklet had included? If you used it, or wish you had had it when you were younger, share your experience. You can also respond to another person’s comment. A Dot Vote is optional.
Blind and low-vision perspectives are especially welcome. Please avoid sharing someone else’s personal information.