Nowon-gu Launches Pilot Operation of Second Disability-Friendly Hair Salon in Gongneung-dong

Operation by advance reservation for registered disabled residents in Nowon-gu... Open Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat from 10 AM to 7 PM, over 50% cheaper than market price... Convenience facilities available for all disability types including shampoo stations and chairs... Two beauty professionals with high disability awareness and one social worker on site

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will begin a pilot operation of the disability-friendly hair salon “Hair Cafe The Hue Branch 2” starting from the 15th.

“Hair Cafe The Hue” is a disability-friendly hair salon that the district introduced nationwide for the first time last September to alleviate the inconvenience faced by people with disabilities who find it difficult to use regular hair salons.

Currently, the average waiting period for salon reservations is 2 to 3 months, receiving explosive responses. In fact, a satisfaction survey conducted on 100 users of Branch 1 showed an overwhelming 97.1% “very satisfied” result, with comments such as “It is convenient because I no longer have to be self-conscious when going to the salon” and “The service is good.” However, due to the increase in users, reservations have become difficult, and since Branch 1 is located in Sanggye-dong, users with disabilities living in the Gongneung-Wolgye area have expressed inconvenience due to the distance, continuously requesting the establishment of an additional salon.

Accordingly, based on the operational experience of Branch 1 in Sanggye, the district has started establishing “Hair Cafe The Hue Gongneung Branch.” After about two weeks of pilot operation from the 15th to the 29th, full-scale operation is planned to begin on the 30th.

The Gongneung Branch will maintain the same operational method as the Sanggye Branch. It is equipped with dedicated facilities such as customized shampoo bowls, indoor restrooms for people with disabilities, mobility lifts for the disabled, and electric wheelchair charging stations to ensure convenient use for all people with disabilities. Some facilities have been refined by reflecting users’ opinions to enhance service precision. Representative examples include the installation of armrests on both sides of the shampoo bowl system and the enlargement of mirror sizes.

The pricing, which is more than 50% cheaper than market prices, will also be maintained. Haircuts are 6,900 KRW for both men and women, perms are 19,000 KRW, coloring is 15,900 KRW, heat perms are 39,000 KRW, and clinics are 22,000 KRW. Basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income groups can receive an additional 50% discount service on top of the already affordable fees.

The district’s main focus was on the quality of hairdressing services along with disability-customized convenience facilities. Rather than simply completing disability awareness training or providing services at low costs, they put great effort into increasing user satisfaction by assigning professional hairdressers with senior-level experience.

The service is available to registered disabled residents of Nowon-gu, with advance reservations starting from November 15 via phone or the website. The official opening is on the 30th, operating every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with closures on Wednesdays and public holidays.

Meanwhile, on the 28th at 3 p.m., a grand opening ceremony celebrating the launch of the 2nd branch will be held at “Hair Cafe The Hue Gongneung Branch,” attended by about 50 people including heads of disability organizations and facility directors.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I hope the disability-friendly hair salon project spreads nationwide,” adding, “We will continue to expand disability-friendly projects so that Nowon becomes a disability-friendly city where people with disabilities can enjoy daily life equally with non-disabled people.”

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