Croydon man threatens legal action over Bayeux Tapestry access
British Museum to offer audio-described tours after pre-action letter from Dr Yusuf Ali Osman.
Incident → evidence → outcomeDr Yusuf Ali Osman, a resident of Croydon, has prompted the British Museum to offer audio-described tours for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition following a threat of legal action. Dr Osman argued that the museum failed to provide adequate access for visually impaired visitors, potentially breaching the Equality Act.
Legal Challenge Over Access
Osman's legal representatives, Leigh Day, sent a pre-action letter to the museum on 24 September. The letter detailed Dr Osman's concerns that the museum had not offered tours suitable for those with visual impairments. According to Leigh Day, the museum had initially indicated that self-guided visits would be prioritised over organised tours and events due to restrictions on the tapestry's exposure to light.
Dr Osman, who has no sight in either eye, had contacted the museum in July to inquire about audio-described tours. He is seeking damages and a declaration that he experienced discrimination. He also wishes for an order compelling the museum to revise its policies and provide disability awareness training to relevant staff.
“I hope that this legal action will help make sure that blind and partially sighted people are properly considered when major exhibitions are planned, so that we can enjoy and engage with our national cultural institutions on a more equal footing.”
Kate Egerton, Dr Osman's solicitor, stated that the Equality Act requires service providers to anticipate the needs of disabled individuals and take reasonable measures to prevent significant disadvantage. She added that her client seeks the same opportunity as sighted visitors to experience the exhibition.
Museum Response and Future Provisions
A spokesperson for the British Museum affirmed the institution's commitment to making the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as accessible as possible. The museum has collaborated with specialist access consultants and has introduced a sensory map to assist visitors in preparing for their visit. In addition to the in-person audio-described tour, the museum is exploring the possibility of incorporating an audio-described tour into the exhibition's app-based guide.
The 70-metre long Bayeux Tapestry, which chronicles the events leading to the Norman Conquest of 1066, is on loan from France and will be displayed at the museum until 11 July 2027.
Questions this report answers
01Why did Dr Yusuf Ali Osman threaten legal action against the British Museum?
Dr Yusuf Ali Osman, from Croydon, threatened legal action because he believed the British Museum was not providing adequate access for visually impaired visitors to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, potentially breaching the Equality Act.
02What has the British Museum agreed to do?
Following the legal threat, the British Museum has agreed to provide an in-person audio-described tour of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. They are also exploring the option of adding an audio-described tour to the exhibition's app.
03When is the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition on display?
The Bayeux Tapestry exhibition is on display at the British Museum until 11 July 2027. The artwork is on loan from France for this display.
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