Legal action is looming over the British Museum’s much-anticipated Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, after lawyers representing a blind man alleged the institution is breaking equalities laws by failing to offer audio described tours.
Dr Yusuf Ali Osman contacted the museum to ask whether it would provide live audio described tours for the exhibition of the nearly 1,000-year-old embroidery depicting William I’s conquest of England in 1066.
According to Mr Osman’s legal team, the British Museum said it would not be offering live audio described tours because restrictions on the tapestry’s light exposure cap the number of visitors who can be admitted, leading the museum to prioritise self-guided visits.
Mr Osman argues that the decision breaches the Equality Act because it places him at a disadvantage compared with sighted visitors. He is seeking damages and a court order compelling the British Museum to change its policies.
The British Museum did not immediately respond to a requestor comment.
“I want to be able to visit the Bayeux Tapestry and experience it for myself,” Mr Osman said in a statement.
“I understand that there are important restrictions around how the tapestry is displayed, but it is disappointing to find that blind visitors are not being offered an audio described way of experiencing it.”
The 11th century embroidery is being loaned to the British Museum from France
His lawyer, Kate Egerton from the firm Leigh Day, said: “The Equality Act places 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.”
The show, centred on the 70-metre-long tapestry, gives ticket-holders 40 minutes to view the work from an elevated platform and has drawn intense interest.
The first release of tickets sold out and brought in nearly £2.5 million (€2.93 million).
