Seocho-gu Disabled-Only Hair Salon 'Hair Hanuri' Opens

Set up on the 1st floor of Hanuri Information and Culture Center on the 16th... Equipped with dedicated facilities such as a lift for the disabled and an integrated shampoo station tailored for the disabled... Features a threshold-free wide entrance, subtle and stylish beige-tone interior, and access to various convenience facilities within the welfare center

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) held an opening ceremony for the disability-friendly hair salon ‘Hair Hanuri’ on the 16th and officially began its operation. The location is on the first floor of the ‘Seocho-gu Hanuri Information and Culture Center,’ a welfare center for people with disabilities.

The district established the facility to reduce the psychological burden on people with disabilities who hesitate to visit regular hair salons due to difficulties in transportation, lack of equipment and convenience facilities, and the challenge of meeting hairstylists experienced in disability hair care.

‘Hair Hanuri’ is approximately 32㎡ in size, with facilities and equipment fully focused on the convenience of people with disabilities. Additionally, being located within the welfare center offers great advantages in easily accessing various convenience facilities for people with disabilities.

Inside the salon, there are disability-specific equipment such as ▲a ‘mobile lift’ that comfortably transfers clients from wheelchairs to chairs ▲a ‘customized integrated shampoo station for people with disabilities’ that allows hair washing immediately after a haircut while still seated. Besides these, the salon is equipped with the latest equipment comparable to any other hair salon.

Moreover, a portable 20-inch monitor is placed right in front of the hairdressing chair. Clients can enjoy cartoons or YouTube videos during their service and also view hairstyle examples.

At the entrance, thresholds have been removed, automatic doors installed, and the doorway widened. The interior is decorated with a subtle and stylish beige tone, and waiting areas for guardians and people with disabilities have been provided.

The salon employs one professional hairstylist and one social worker, both trained in disability awareness. The hairstylist has 25 years of experience and is highly skilled in hair care for people with disabilities. The social worker assists with hairdressing services, welfare counseling, and introducing the welfare center to enhance convenience for clients with disabilities.

Operating hours are weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and services are by appointment only. The salon is closed on weekends and public holidays. Prices are set at more than 50% lower than market rates.

Hair services include cuts, regular and heat perms, and coloring. Vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income households receive an additional 50% discount. Eligible users are registered people with disabilities in Seocho-gu or those registered with programs at the Hanuri Information and Culture Center.

On the opening day, a guardian of a person with a disability who used the salon said, “It was difficult to go to hair salons with my son who has a brain lesion disability, so I used to cut his hair myself. It’s wonderful to be able to receive a haircut and shampoo from a professional hairstylist here and to use the welfare center’s convenience facilities.”

The district plans to use this space as a vocational training center for employment in hairdressing and beauty services for people with disabilities starting next year.

Meanwhile, the district operates a dental clinic exclusively for people with disabilities within the district health center to assist those who face difficulties in dental care. It was the first of its kind opened by a local government nationwide in 1996 and provides general dental treatments as well as important oral disease prevention services such as scaling, which is especially crucial for people with disabilities.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, stated, “We will continue to do our best to support people with disabilities and their families so that they can enjoy an ordinary life without discrimination from non-disabled people through welfare services closely aligned with their daily lives and perspectives.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.