Accessible to All

Alice Dawkins considers how you can create an inclusive salon experience for disabled and neurodiverse clients.

Visiting the salon is an enjoyable and anticipated activity for most, but for those with mental, sensory or physical disabilities, this can be a daunting and often uncomfortable experience.

More than 15% of the population is neurodiverse and 16 million Brits live with disabilities, so ensuring that facilities and services are accessible to all is essential, especially in the hair and beauty industry.

Here are some ways you can make your services and environments more accessible and welcoming to neurodivergent and disabled clients.

Consider salon accessibility

Prioritising salon accessibility is paramount to foster inclusivity and meet the needs of a diverse range of clients. Salons should be equipped with ramps, spacious entryways and easy navigation to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges.

The hair styling space itself should also have plenty of room for mobility aids like wheelchairs, scooters and walkers and have disabilityfriendly hair washing stations so that services are not limited by needs.

Including these features in salon designs and layouts will demonstrate understanding of the struggles experienced by those with disabilities and appeal to a broader customer base.

Adapt services to meet sensory challenges

For neurodiverse individuals, the normal salon experience can be incredibly overwhelming as some may have heightened sensitivities to sound, light, and touch. Tailoring the salon environment to work for people with these sensitivities will make the experience much more enjoyable.

For example, consider opting for lighting that can be easily adjusted and allow in as much natural light as possible. Music and general noise should be kept to a minimum and adapt services to help clients cope.

One stylist shared on TikTok how she accommodates clients with sensory issues by discussing any triggers ahead of an appointment and providing solutions like covering the ears and face with a towel while washing hair, tying a gown loosely, and booking appointments during quieter periods. Non-verbal clients will also benefit from visual supports, like clear signage, labelling, and service offerings that cater to diverse communication styles and help them feel understood.

Offering flexible scheduling to suit different needs also demonstrates a commitment to providing customised services for different needs and enhancing the experience.

Provide staff training

For professionals to adapt their services to work for different people, they must be provided with the right training. Sensitivity training and education about specific disabilities and conditions like autism, ADHD and mental health disorders can equip you with a deeper understanding that will help you to be more empathetic and patient during appointments.

Fostering empathy, patience, and openmindedness will enable staff to engage with clients in a respectful and supportive manner. This can enhance the quality of service but also create a salon culture that acknowledges and prioritises diversity and accessibility.

Offer consultations and encourage feedback

Some salons offer complimentary consultations ahead of an appointment but this should be the norm for all businesses, and offer an opportunity for you to understand the unique needs and preferences of a client and personalise their experience.

Actively seeking feedback is also important as a salon can show its commitment to continuously improving its services to provide client satisfaction. An open line of communication allows clients to express their concerns, share their experiences and contribute to a more inclusive salon environment.

Through regular feedback, the salon can make necessary adjustments, refine its services and create a space where all clients, regardless of their abilities or neurodivergent status, feel heard, valued and fully accommodated.

Prioritise inclusive marketing and representation

Diversifying marketing efforts to make sure that all kinds of clients are represented is pivotal for solidifying a salon’s reputation as an inclusive business that understands and prioritises disabled and neurodivergent clients.

By showcasing a range of clients, including those with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions, the salon communicates its commitment to inclusivity and helping clients feel seen, valued and confident. Inclusive marketing also helps to break down barriers and destigmatise disabilities and neurodiversity to contribute to a more open-minded community. This reinforces the notion that everyone, regardless of challenges and disabilities, is deserving of an accommodating and enjoyable salon experience.

Salons can contribute to the spread of viral, fungal and bacterial infections. It’s crucial staff are trained in proper hygiene practices. Beyond the basics like emptying bins and letting fresh air in by opening windows, salon employees should look out for the following things:

Hair styling tools: Hairbrushes, combs, scissors and other styling tools can harbour bacteria and product build up. Soak them regularly in warm, gentle shampoo solution or use a salon specific disinfectant spray. Rinse and dry thoroughly before reuse.

Hair washing stations: Shampoo bowls, faucets and handles can accumulate hair products, oils and grime. Rinse bowls thoroughly with hot water after each use and clean them regularly with a disinfectant wipe or spray. Wipe faucets and handles with a damp microfibre cloth after each use.

Floors & mats: Hair clippings, spilled hair products and dirt can accumulate on salon floors and mats leaving them grimy and slippery. Sweep or vacuum floors daily, paying close attention to corners and under equipment. Mop regularly with a disinfectant solution to remove debris.

Waiting area furniture: Chairs, couches and tables in the waiting area can gather dust, hair and spills. Regularly vacuum upholstered furniture and wipe down hard surfaces with a disinfectant or mild soap solution.

Countertops & surfaces: Workstations, countertops and reception desks are high-touch areas where products, hair and debris can accumulate. Clean these surfaces multiple times a day with disinfectant wipesor sprays.

Towels & linens: Towels and robes come into contact with hair, styling products and clients’ skin, making them susceptible to harbouring bacteria and fungus. Towels should be washed thoroughly with hot water and detergent to remove hair products and bacteria and ensure they are dried completely before reuse.

Sinks & mirrors: Hair dye, styling products and residues can stick to sinks and mirrors. Use a multipurpose cleaner or a water-vinegar solution to clean sinks and mirrors effectively without streaks.

Alice Dawkins is Hair Expert at hair extension brand Milk + Blush.

Milk + Blush: www.milkandblush.com