A blind person calls on the British Museum to provide audio guidance for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition

Dr Yusuf Ali Othman of the British Museum inquired whether a live audio guide service would be available in the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition for the nearly thousand-year-old tapestry depicting William I's conquest of England in 1066.

But the lawyers representing Othman stated that the British Museum said that it would not provide such a service, because the restrictions imposed on the fabric’s exposure to light limit the number of visitors allowed to enter, which means in practice that the museum gives priority to visitors alone without the need for a guide.

Othman says that the museum’s decision represents a violation of the Equality Act because of the discrimination he is exposed to compared to sighted visitors. He also demands compensation and a court order requiring the British Museum to amend its policies.

The British Museum has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Othman said in a statement: “I would like to be able to visit the Bayou Textile exhibition and experience the experience for myself.” He added: "I understand that there are important restrictions related to how the fabric can be displayed, but it is disappointing not to provide a way for blind visitors to describe it audio for them to enjoy it."

“The Equality Act imposes obligations on service providers to anticipate the needs of people with disabilities and take reasonable steps to avoid significant harm,” said Kate Egerton, Othman’s lawyer at Lee Day Law Firm. “Our client is requesting that sighted visitors be given the same opportunity to enjoy this exhibition,” she added.

One million visitors to see the 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry

The exhibition, which opened on September 10, is witnessing great demand, with tickets sold out until December 31, and a new batch of tickets is scheduled to go on sale on October 21.

Visitors have about forty minutes to admire this piece of embroidery, which is approximately 70 meters long, and depicts the events of the invasion of England by William the Conqueror in the eleventh century.

A spokesman for the British Museum explained in a statement: “The interest in this historic textile is very great, and our priority is to ensure that all visitors have the best possible experience.” He added, "We have taken a decision to prohibit photography while visitors move along the woven."

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced the loan of this masterpiece, which is usually displayed in the city of Bayeux in the Normandy region in northwestern France, to be displayed in London.

The exhibition is expected to attract up to one million visitors, and its activities will continue until July 11, 2027, after which the fabric will return to Bayeux City.

Edited by: Arif Jabo