Blind and partially sighted visitors
We offer a range of facilities and events for blind and partially sighted visitors, to help you get more from the paintings.
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Welcome packs
We provide Braille information. There are also large print versions of the floorplan for partially sighted visitors.
You can order these in advance for collection on the day. Phone: 020 7747 2885.
Descriptive Folders
Descriptive Folders are available at the Portico Information Desk. These are free to check out, but must be returned.
The Folders focus on one painting and include descriptive text and interpretation (in large print and Braille) along with:
- Tactile Images
- Photographic reproductions of close-up sections of the painting
The paintings featured include:
- John Constable, The Hay Wain, 1821
- Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1888
- Paolo Veronese, The Family of Darius before Alexander, 1565-7
- Hans Holbein the Younger, The Ambassadors, 1533
Two new folders will be ready in spring 2013 featuring Titian, The Death of Actaeon and Kalf, Still Life with the Drinking-Horn.
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Events
We run exciting verbal description sessions on the paintings for blind and partially sighted visitors. See what's on and book a place:
All Art Through Words Sessions
The collection
The collection of paintings is on level 2 of the building and entrance is free for everyone. Assistance dogs are welcome
Exhibitions
Exhibitions are held in the Sainsbury Wing on Level −2 and in various rooms in the main building. We provide:
- Audio guides for temporary exhibitions and the collection
- Water for assistance dogs
- Large-print information (black on white) about each painting
- You can order large print information about the paintings in advance, for collection on the day.
Phone: 020 7747 2885 - Tactile line diagrams and Braille interpretation of paintings
Explore the National Gallery with Jacqueline Wilson
Living Paintings’s ‘Touch to See: Painting Stories’ thermoform and audio book, for 7–11 years, takes a tour of selected works in the National Gallery. Narrated by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, the book also includes a trip behind-the-scenes with Gallery staff.
Borrow your copy from Living Paintings now [External link]
Contact us
See also
Find out more about access for all visitors to the Gallery- Find out about all Art Through Words events at the National Gallery
- Facilities and events in BSL for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Get information on accessible transport, level access entrances and facilities at the National Gallery
