First time visiting the Barnes and while the new building, architecture and art are exquisite, I have to walk away with a bad taste in my mouth due to staff and lack of accessibility for those with disabilities. I enjoyed the art and at one point pointed about 5” away from one painting (that was not roped off) to show my father something I noticed in the painting and a staff member was then quick on her heels to come up to us saying “please don’t touch/point that close to the art”. Ok fine, no worries, I understand the detriment of this for paintings and fine art but I felt it was policing a little too much.

But my biggest gripe was the lack of accessibility for those like myself with chronic illness and disabilities, particularly in reference to the bathroom being on the lower level. I have a chronic illness (for over 32yrs) that I do need quick and close access to the bathroom quite often. I took note that it was far away from the exhibits and needed to walk down a flight of stairs to the lower level to access. Thought to myself as both an RN (with a masters degree) and living with a chronic illness my whole life that thank God I am able bodied enough and not in a wheelchair and didn’t need to use the elevator etc and able to climb up/down the stairs if I needed to use the bathroom facilities often. In relation to this same concern, I then discovered that in the outside terrace there were 2 bathrooms located out in the back. Before we left (an hour drives home) I decided to use these bathrooms to make sure I was good for the drive home. I used the bathroom around 4:35pm (website states museum is closed at 5) so I had plenty of time. About 2 minutes into going into the bathroom and needed a few more to be done, someone started to jangle the door, no knocks. I thought it was another guest at first until I heard the keys start to go into the outside locks and I quickly stated I would be just a moment. I then proceeded to hear a his person go open and lock the other bathroom and realized that maybe the custodian was cleaning and locking up early. When this person was done with locking the other door I then hear her walkie to other staff “please tell guests the outside terrace bathroom is closed in 5 minutes”. So you can only imagine that someone living with a chronic illness’ worst nightmare to be rushed from the facility that their illness needs them full and un-rushed access to. I looked at my phone and by this point it was about 4:38. I then hear this woman pound on my door again when I just told her 2 min ago I was still in use of it. I let her know “almost finished” and could hear her waiting outside the door impatiently jangling her keys more. When I finished up it was 4:40pm so about 5min total in the bathroom. I did look at her when I exited and stated “I apologize I didn’t realize these would be closing now, and I have a chronic illness I needed to use the bathroom for” she replied “ok, I hope you feel better” but I was very disappointed in how rude she handled the situation before she knew I had a disability. I have seen other negative reviews about the staff and I have never been treated like this in other places with my illness. l wanted to make sure others knew this.