ACCESSIBILITY THE BU SI NESS
WORDS NATASHA RIGLER
EVERYBODY’S With one in five Brits living with a disability, we look at how you can make your salon or barbershop accessible to all.
SALON EXPERIENCE
‘LIFE-CHANGING' Hannah Klewpatinond from HK Hair in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, has made her salon fully accessible. Clients can enter via a ramp and, once inside, signage is clear and the floor is on one level. Although Hannah’s mirrors are anchored to the wall, they can be removed and placed on tripods. The most significant feature is the fully accessible sink – wheelchair and scooter users can drive right up to it and have their hair washed without getting out of their seat. This has been life-changing for one client. ‘The lady is in her 40s and hasn’t been able to visit a salon for 20 years,’ Hannah explains. ‘Other salons just didn’t have the sink space for her because of her chair, meaning she would have needed to arrive with wet hair. ‘The lady can now get her salon experience and there is a real element of it being a special event when she comes in.’
T
here are 14 million people with disabilities in the UK – and, sadly, they are still fighting for equality. Access to everyday places is still an issue, and this includes salons and barbershops. Entrance steps can form a barrier, getting close to washbasins is out of the question for some, and clients
may have difficulties communicating with stylists. What can be done?
Make a difference The Equality Act 2010 intends to reduce discrimination for people with disabilities. Under the Act, business owners must make reasonable adjustments to their premises to overcome physical access barriers.
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