The British Museum has confirmed it will offer an in-person audio-described tour while the Bayeux Tapestry is on display, following accusations of discrimination.
Dr Yusuf Ali Osman, who is blind in both eyes, accused the museum of breaching the Equality Act by failing to offer such tours during the exhibition's run. He contacted the museum via solicitor Leigh Day to ask whether audio-described tours would be available.
Museum's initial response
His solicitor said the museum had told him that self-guided visits would be prioritised over tours and events. The museum explained that limits on how many hours of light the delicate tapestry can be exposed to meant visitor numbers were restricted.
Dr Osman is pursuing damages, a formal declaration that he was subjected to discrimination, and a court order compelling the museum to revise its policies. He also argued that staff at the exhibition should receive disability awareness training.
Legal obligations and accessibility
His solicitor said the Equality Act placed the onus 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,” his solicitor said.
A British Museum spokesperson said the museum was “committed to making the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as accessible as possible”, and that the museum had worked with specialist access consultants.
Exhibition details
Among the currently available options are a “sensory map” designed to help visitors prepare for their visit, as well as dedicated tours that will now include an in-person audio-described option.
The Bayeux Tapestry is on loan from France and is on display at the museum until July 11, 2027. The tapestry is close to 230 feet long and depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is believed to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo, William the Conqueror’s half-brother, to embellish his newly-built cathedral in Bayeux in 1077.
