By learning even a little British Sign Language (BSL) you can make all the difference.
Published:Hairdressers are renowned for chatting, so what happens when there’s a barrier to communication? The Deaf community face this all the time, but they don’t have to. By learning even a little British Sign Language (BSL) you can make all the difference to their experience in your chair.
Over the three years or so, I have been combining my British Sign Language and hairdressing skills to create signing appointments for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Giving them a safe, inclusive space where they can communicate freely without barriers. I went to an adult college to learn BSL which I would highly recommend. If this requires too much time or commitment there are many other ways you can learn. There are online courses, Instagram pages you can follow that teach signs and helpful apps to download. Check out my Instagram page where I’ve posted a few helpful videos too.
We all know the consultation is a key part of any hair service, so I felt I could really open this up to the Deaf community. They can tell me exactly how they want their hair, tell me their concerns and ask for advice. They no longer need to scribble notes down, or point at images, hoping they conveyed their message to the stylist, waiting until the end to see if they were understood properly.
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Being able to sign with them also includes them in my favourite aspect of any service, personal connection. Chatting and building a relationship between hairdresser and client is such a vital part of our industry. This is the part a lot of clients enjoy the most, especially if they are facing loneliness or other issues. For these clients to sit in lonely silence and miss out on this aspect of our service would be such a shame. There are more ways than we realise that the Deaf community are excluded from our hearing world so it’s a genuine pleasure to be able to break down these barriers.
It all began when I posted a video of me signing on my Instagram page, explaining that I am a signing hairdresser and am able to use BSL within a hair appointment. From there I had a few bookings and consultations with the nicest Deaf clients I could have wished for. Gone were my fears of not being fluent enough, clear enough or quick enough. My main worry was that of course, I don’t know every single sign. However, my clients were just so pleased we could communicate, that I’d taken the time and effort to learn BSL, that if there were any signs I was unsure of then they would teach and help me along the way. So don’t let fear of imperfection hold you back! The best way to learn a language is to use it so if you learn the basics on your own first, the rest will follow.
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One great appointment led to another with many of my new clients recommending their friends or sharing my videos online.
My BSL hair appointments are something I’m so proud of because not only do I love them, but they help others which is so fulfilling and more of what the world needs. The impact it has had on my bookings has been a huge bonus and something the salon is of course, really pleased about. It creates a lovely atmosphere in the salon when I have a signing appointment, other clients will see and ask about it, enjoying the inclusive environment and intrigued by BSL helping to raise Deaf awareness. Others will see my online posts about it and I think it gives them an insight to the kind of open, welcoming and inclusive salon we are which is good for everyone.
I couldn’t be more pleased that I launched this service and I know for sure it’ll be something I always do going forward. I urge you to get involved, learn a little and the rest will take care of itself. Your clients will thank you, your salon will thank you and ultimately you’ll thank yourself because it truly is a joy. Hopefully, I cannot only enjoy and offer this service myself, but teach and inspire others to do the same in the future.
Jo Haywood x
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