INCLUSIVITY INSIGHT
ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS & TIPS
Check out tools designed to support the accessibility needs of nail pros & clients
REBECCA HITCHON REPORTS
Supporting your personal wellbeing needs, as well as those of your clients, is vital in creating a comfortable and inclusive nail space. Information on how to accommodate the needs of personal and work communities is more accessible than ever before – and rightfully so, as in 2021/2022, an estimated 16 million people in the UK (24% of the population) had a disability. But put this in stark contrast with the fact that only 4% of beauty and personal care companies cater to physical disabilities*, and it’s clear that there’s still work to be done.
*P&G research, 2019
Instagram.com/lorealgroupe
I’d like to hope that if carried out today, P&G’s research would be drastically different. There have been huge technological advances since 2019, from artificial intelligence offering audio product application cues to disabled beauty enthusiasts, to devices like HAPTA from Lancôme (pictured left). Designed for those with limited mobility and reduced grip strength, the handheld make-up applicator harnesses motion-stabilising technology when users plug products into the tool.
There is also a wealth of digital and physical resources that can support the needs of you and your clients during appointments, to promote a positive and satisfactory experience on both sides of the nail desk.
Tippy Type Keyboard Cover in Milky White
£37 inc VAT www.tippytype.co
New product alert!
US-based beauty tech company, Tippy Type, has released its flagship product: a 3D silicone keyboard cover designed for those with long nails. Reducing the hand strain, typos, nail damage and loud noises that typing with long nails can cause, the Tippy Type keyboard cover promotes productivity, accuracy and comfort for laptop users with long nails. The cover is currently available for Apple MacBooks.
Leona Kelly
Motion amendments
“My mother-in-law has Parkinson’s disease, and found that her fingers were sticking together when inserted into the lamp during enhancement services,” shares Leona Kelly, Bristol artist & educator of Nails By Leona. “I invested in finger/toe separators, which have made a huge difference and allow her to enjoy her nail services, even though she suffers from shaking hands. Separators are also great for those with anxiety who shake, as they support fingers or toes and avoid them touching, eliminating the risk of product touching the skin.”
Nailpad is a portable nail painting surface for manicures and pedicures, designed to keep hands steady and solve the problem of unstable surfaces when tending to nails. Available in black and pink, it offers a small, flat surface, pull-out leg to keep this surface steady and nail polish pot holder to secure products. When folded, Nailpad can store accessories like nail files and buffers.
TOP TIP
“By using social media to advertise that your business accommodates clients’ individual needs, new clients will feel at ease to enquire about and book appointments,” shares Yasmin Hodge.
Yasmin Hodge
Case study: Yasmin Hodge
“I try to be as accommodating to individual client needs as possible,” shares Yasmin Hodge, owner of Wolverhampton business, Gels by Yas & creator of the Nailing Disabilities and Accessible Beauty social media initiatives. “As a disabled client, I was never asked how my accessibility needs could be catered to, and found it extremely difficult to enjoy my treatments. Most of the time, they caused immense pain afterwards. As a nail tech, I enquire with individuals about any needs I might need to accommodate for before their appointments. This means clients can relax during appointments and not feel judged.”
How Yasmin caters to clients’ needs:
• “I have two wrist rests available for clients: a low one for those unable to keep their arms at a high level, and a higher one for the majority of clients,” notes Yasmin.
• “I use height-adjustable chairs in case some individuals are unable to sit on lower chairs,” Yasmin comments.
• “I don’t play music during appointments, because I struggle with hearing and know how difficult it can be to concentrate on speech when there is background noise,” says Yasmin. “I recognise that some clients may prefer silent appointments without pressure to speak, too.”
Chat-O-Meter is a free, downloadable resource from Fiona Fox, owner of Ulu Beauty, Dorset, a Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year finalist 2024. It allows a client to signal how they are feeling without speaking and share how comfortable they are to talk during an appointment. Download via
www.ulu-beauty.co.uk/resources
REM Height-adjustable Clover Beauty Stool
from £193 + VAT www.rem.co.uk • “For clients that can find appointments challenging, I allow a longer time, so we can stop and have a break if needed,” Yasmin explains. “For individuals that are unable to sit for a long period, I ensure they have opportunity to stand and stretch during appointments.”
Nailing Disabilities & Accessible Beauty
“Nailing Disabilities is a private Facebook group for professionals who suffer with chronic illnesses or disabilities. It’s a safe space for them to talk with like-minded people about their struggles,” details Yasmin. “A number of people tried to join to learn more about chronic illnesses and disabilities, so I created an account for their questions: @accessiblebeautyy on Instagram. The page raises awareness of conditions, their symptoms and how treatments can be adapted for professionals and clients with the conditions. Each month, I ask followers to tag me in nail work that features symbols representing a certain condition, then I reshare these to raise awareness.”
Scan to join the Nailing Disabilities group Follow the Accessible Beauty page on Instagram: @accessiblebeautyy