Bayeux tour to include audio account of tapestry

The British Museum will provide an audio-described tour of the Bayeux Tapestry after a man with visual impairment pointed out the lack of access for blind and partially-sighted people.

Dr Yusuf Ali Osman, from Croydon, said the museum breached the Equality Act by not offering such tours of the exhibition.

On Wednesday, the central London museum said an in-person audio-described tour would be held during the exhibition's run.

It said it was also exploring adding an audio-described tour to the exhibition's app.

Osman, who has no sight in either eye, contacted the museum via solicitor Leigh Day to ask whether audio-described tours would be available.

The law firm told him the museum had said self-guided visits would be prioritised over tours and events.

The British Museum said this was because there are limits on how many hours of light to which the tapestry can be exposed - and this in turn restricted visitor numbers.

Osman is seeking damages and a declaration that he was discriminated against and an order requiring the museum to change its policies.

He also said relevant staff should be given disability awareness training and he hoped the legal action would "help make sure blind and partially sighted people are properly considered" when major exhibitions are planned.

His solicitor said the Equality Act placed obligations on service providers to anticipate the needs of disabled people and take reasonable steps to avoid substantial disadvantage.

"Our client is asking for the same opportunity as sighted visitors to experience this exhibition."

A British Museum spokesperson said the museum was "committed to making the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as accessible as possible" and had worked with specialist access consultants.

Provisions currently include a sensory map to help visitors prepare for their visit, as well as dedicated tours during the exhibition run which will include an in-person audio-described tour, the spokesperson said.

"We are also exploring including a separate audio-described tour as part of the exhibition's app-based audio guide."

The 70m (230ft) embroidery, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066, is on loan from France and is on display at the museum until 11 July 2027.

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