The In4Care staff have seen the difficult side of taking their participants to get a haircut and are asking for a little more understanding from the community. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
A quick trip to the barber for a short back and sides every few months might seem like a mundane and easy trip for a lot of people, but for others, it can be a win just to sit in the chair.
For many parents, carers and disability support workers in Wagga, it is a struggle to find a safe and quiet space for their dependants who have a disability. It’s a mountain to climb and there’s more planning to it than you may think.
One hairdresser who is doing his best to provide a safe and comfortable space for everyone is Ash Smith.
Mr Smith said he wanted everyone to have a good experience while sitting in his chair and to walk out with the confidence a good haircut could provide.
“Just because you have a disability or you’re on the spectrum doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get given the opportunity to feel good about yourself,” he said.
“The fact some hairdressers can put it in the too hard basket is really frustrating. I’ve got one family that will come in from Adelong just because their son will let me cut their hair and doesn’t let anyone cut their hair.
“I take the time and talk to him about how to make the experience as comfortable as possible. It’s a case of just remembering what accommodations I made previously, and also just talking to make sure that that still is the accommodations that they want or need.
“Things like just turning the music down, trying to limit the kind of number of inputs going on in the shop and or not using the hair dryer. For example, one kid whose hair I cut holding a pink comb while another person I give a brush too so when there’s hair on his face he can brush it off when he wants.”
Mr Smith uses a range of equipment to ensure every customer has an enjoyable experience. Photo: Supplied.
Local disability support and services organisation In4Care does its best to provide its participants with a safe and controlled trip to the hairdresser but admits it’s a huge challenge.
“There are a couple of major factors that make it very difficult,” In4Care’s Sallianne Dwyer said.
“There’s physical access and actually being able to attend to the place that you want to attend. It’s not just people in wheelchairs. It’s people who use a walking stick, people who use different walking frames, four-wheel walkers.
“If the space is too tight and we can’t get the participant into the chair it becomes impossible even before the haircut begins.
“After that, the hardest thing for me as a parent with a child on the spectrum and someone who cares for people with a disability, it’s the look of judgment from the community.
“That cause so much anxiety not just for whoever I’m taking but for me and other carers too. The best way to support a person who’s in that situation is to be kind, give us a smile and treat us like you would any other person.”
In4Care’s Teresa McMullen said disability support workers wanted all people to enjoy the same life as anybody else, which included having an understanding barber or hairdresser.
“People with sensory issues can’t control what feels comfortable and uncomfortable,” she said.
“Having hair on their face, or people touching them feels unnatural. Things like getting their hair shampooed or hair brushing their hands and even loud noises is very overwhelming and not everyone understands those challenges.
“Anyone who reads this, we’d just like you to know that some understanding and patience really does go a long way to helping our participants and all people with disabilities feel safe and included.”
Loading ...
