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.

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