This ABC book is a women’s health book with feedback and input of deaf middle school girls, with the vision of it being accompanied by a video series of deaf women in STEM translating the book. This project will promote discussion of women’s health while inspiring girls as they work with and see deaf role models elevated.
We hope these discussions happen in classrooms and libraries at Deaf schools. We have developed a sample lesson plan to use, which can be accessed at this link here.
Head to our YouTube page to preview ASL translations by deaf women in STEM!
The book is finished!!
Books are currently being donated to Deaf schools across the U.S.
Our Story
You likely know someone who has chronic unexplained vaginal pain (or vulvodynia), painful periods from endometriosis, or recurrent yeast infections. Maybe this is you. These things are usually not openly talked about... especially if you are a teenage girl.
The topic may be taboo or the information goes over your head. We are a team of deaf and hearing, sign-fluent women that came together in our shared goal of changing this!
Meet The Team
TIFFANY PANKO, MD, MBA
She/her
Project Lead & Co-Author
Tiffany is a white Deaf American women's health researcher. As an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, she is passionate about spotlighting STEM for Deaf middle school girls. Through this program, she won a minigrant to bring this project to life.
SUSAN RIZZO, MS, MA
She/her
Co-Author
Susan is a white hearing American user of both English and ASL. She is delighted to partner on this groundbreaking project, which merges her life-long interests in science, deaf education and writing.
CORRINE OCCHINO, PhD
She/her
Co-Author
Corrine is a white hearing American linguist, who is proficient in English and ASL. For Corrine, this project was an opportunity to collaborate on a book written with Deaf middle schoolers in mind, presenting important, often complex topics in an accessible, fun, and visually appealing format.
YOUMEE LEE, MFA
She/her
Illustrator
As a Deaf Asian American artist, Youmee is passionate about making information visually accessible to the Deaf community. She is thrilled to have this opportunity to provide her skills to help young people learn more about their bodies and health.