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Medieval Disability and Accessibility Lesson:
Disability Terminology
Disability Terminology
Discussion
Discussion
Why might words change over time?
What issues might you encounter trying to research disability in a historical time period?
What Are Your Preconceptions about the Middle Ages and Medieval Disability?
What Are Your Preconceptions about the Middle Ages and Medieval Disability?
Description: "John Green teaches you about the so-called Dark Ages, which it turns out weren't as uniformly dark as you may have been led to believe. While Europe was indeed having some issues, many other parts of the world were thriving and relatively enlightened. John covers European Feudalism, the cultural blossoming of the Islamic world, and the scientific and artistic advances in China, all during these "Dark Ages." Along the way, John will raise questions about the validity of Europe's status as a continent, reveal the best and worst years of his life, and frankly state that science and religion were once able to coexist."
Discussion
Discussion
What were your preconceptions about the Middle Ages? Where did they come from?
What were your preconceptions about medieval disability? Where did they come from?
Listen! "Myth-busting Medieval Disabilities" Radio Episode
Listen! "Myth-busting Medieval Disabilities" Radio Episode
Activity
Activity
While listening to the radio show episode, take notes on the following: What ideas mentioned interest you? Is there anything that surprises you? What words stand out to you? Do you have questions about anything or does anything confuse you?
Featured Individual: Saint Dymphna
Featured Individual: Saint Dymphna
Discussion
Discussion
What might have been the social implications of normalizing disability in Geel, Belgium?
How might we represent medieval mental disability and invisible disabilities in general in spaces like museums?
Featured Individual: Richard III
Featured Individual: Richard III
Activity
Activity
Explore this photo album from Leicester Cathedral, Richard III Visitor Center, and Bosworth Battlefield. How is disability represented?
Technologies and Treatments
Technologies and Treatments
Images of Mobility Aids, Care, and Cures
Images of Mobility Aids, Care, and Cures
Explore: "Plagues and Peoples: Health and Disease in Medieval Europe" (An Online Hub for Medieval Medical History)
Read: "Medieval mobility aids," Wellcome Collection Inside Our Collections
Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs
Read: Krista A. Murchison, "Guide Dogs in Medieval Art and Writing"
Discussion
Discussion
What did you learn from the images of technologies and treatments?
What is the difference between a practical and a cosmetic prosthetic?
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
What did you learn about medieval disability? Have your preconceptions changed?
What further questions do you have about medieval disability at this point?
What topic do you want to research more?
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