Lecture | Research Seminars Medieval and Early Modern History
Guide Dogs and Accessibility Aids for Blindness and Visual Impairments in the Medieval West
- Date
- Friday 12 March 2027
- Time
- Serie
- Research Seminars Medieval and Early Modern History academic year 2026-2027
- Address
-
Johan Huizinga
Doelensteeg 16
2311 VL Leiden - Room
- Conference room (2.60)
This talk draws on key disability studies frameworks to explore accessibility aids for visual impairments from the medieval west. Drawing on archaeological, literary, artistic, and more traditional historical evidence, this talk shows that people with visual impairments during the medieval period had a range of supports available to them, including guide dogs, walking sticks, and hired helpers. While it is commonly believed that life with a visual impairment was particularly challenging during the medieval period, this talk shows that medieval society was in some ways more accessible for those with blindness and visual impairments than western society today. For example, large families lived close together and communities were tightly knit, which meant many people who were blind received lots of familial and community support. By examining examples such as this one, and the kinds of supports used by people with visual impairments during the medieval period, this talk reveals an important but rarely examined aspect of disability history.
Research Seminars Medieval and Early Modern History
The seminars are informal and intended to foster discussion. There are drinks afterwards. Everyone is welcome to join.
If you would like to join a session, and/or receive invitations for the upcoming sessions, you can send an e-mail to: ngassistent@hum.leidenuniv.nl. Further information can be obtained from the organizers Shiru Lim, Judith Pollmann, Jeroen Duindam and Philippe Buc.