The Dining in the Dark Phenomenon

Authors

  • Siegfried Saerberg Universitat Dortmund (Germany)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v27i3.24

Keywords:

Dining in the Dark, Blindness, Mediation, Freak Show, Liminality

Abstract

In the last fourteen years in Europe, a phenomenon has developed that I call "Dining in the Dark." Its primary success has been to promote communication between blind and sighted people -- through a mediation process (rather than any simulation of blindness) -- and to show how a disabling society constructs blindness-related problems. Second, it demonstrates real possibilities available to blind people and to the ways a more enabling society could accommodate their needs and skills. Third, the phenomenon has enhanced self-confidence among blind and visually disabled food-service workers. But such "demonstrations" raise questions about how best to design and structure future events, and whether "Dining in the Dark" as for-profit businesses are also successful at mediating blindness. I also consider whether "Dining in the Dark" events function as modern-day, acceptable "freak shows." Finally, I suggest how the concept of liminality can help us better understand and interpret these phenomenon and their achievements.

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Published

2007-06-30

How to Cite

Saerberg, S. (2007). The Dining in the Dark Phenomenon. Disability Studies Quarterly, 27(3). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v27i3.24

Issue

Section

Special Topic: Food Studies and Disability Studies