Seodaemun-gu designates 7 neighbourhood hair salons as disability-friendly
In short
Seoul's Seodaemun-gu has designated seven hair salons in six neighbourhoods as “disability-friendly hair salons” and began operating them this month, the district said on Oct 5. Registered disabled residents who receive basic livelihood benefits or are in the near-poor class can get 10,000 won off once a month at the designated salons, with the district paying the salons directly. The district enacted a support ordinance in July and signed agreements with the seven salons on Oct 1.
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Seoul's Seodaemun-gu has designated seven hair salons across six neighbourhoods as “disability-friendly hair salons” and began operating them this month, the district said on Oct 5. The district said the programme is meant to let disabled residents receive hair and beauty services conveniently within their own living areas by improving facilities and easing the cost. District chief Park Un-ki said “people should not have to bear a heavier burden because of a disability in the ordinary act of getting a haircut,” and that the district will check whether the designated salons are comfortable to use in practice and increase usable salons by living area, according to Asia Economy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Rather than building new facilities, the programme upgrades the fixtures and supplies of existing neighbourhood salons. After on-site inspections of each business, the district installs entrance ramps and provides items needed for services, such as large gowns, while the salons provide services to disabled residents in the low-income bracket, according to Asia Economy and Kyunghyang Shinmun. The district enacted an ordinance on installing, designating and supporting disability-friendly beauty facilities to provide the legal basis: Asia Economy dates the enactment to July 29, while Kyunghyang Shinmun says only that it was in July. The two outlets agree that the district then sought participating salons and signed an agreement with the seven on Oct 1. [ 2 , 3 ]
The discount applies to registered disabled residents of Seodaemun-gu who are basic livelihood recipients or in the near-poor class. They can receive 10,000 won off once a month at a designated salon, with the district paying the amount directly to the salon, so users do not have to file for a refund. Users bring their welfare card and a certificate showing recipient or near-poor status when they visit. Asia Economy reported that at Daenggimeori salon in Bugahyeon-dong, a women's cut falls from 18,000 won to 8,000 won and a men's cut from 15,000 won to 5,000 won, and noted that fees differ by salon and should be checked before a visit. [ 2 , 3 ]
The designated salons are Daenggimeori in Bugahyeon-dong, Hiro Hair Salon in Yeonhui-dong, Jun Hair Shop in Hongje 3-dong, Moareu Hair in Hongeun 2-dong, Yedeuni Hair Shop in Namgajwa 2-dong, and Seonhui Hair Shop and Sharon Hair Salon in Bukgajwa 2-dong. The district plans to recruit interested salons on an ongoing basis to add designated businesses by area, and to publish locations, operating hours and how to use the salons through its website and dong community centres. Asia Economy added that the district is separately preparing a disability-friendly salon space on Segeomjeong-ro. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The programme takes an existing-network approach — retrofitting neighbourhood salons with ramps and equipment rather than building new facilities — so disabled residents can use services inside their own living areas. It is a district-level welfare measure in Seoul, and the district says it plans to add salons by area, which would widen access if it continues.
Key facts
- Seodaemun-gu in Seoul designated seven hair salons in six neighbourhoods as “disability-friendly hair salons” and began operating them this month. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The district enacted an ordinance on installing, designating and supporting disability-friendly beauty facilities; Asia Economy said it was enacted on July 29, while Kyunghyang Shinmun said it was enacted in July. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The district signed an agreement with the seven participating salons on Oct 1 at the district office. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Registered disabled residents of Seodaemun-gu who are basic livelihood recipients or in the near-poor class can receive a 10,000 won discount once a month at designated salons. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Asia Economy reported that at the Daenggimeori salon in Bugahyeon-dong, a women's cut drops from 18,000 won to 8,000 won and a men's cut from 15,000 won to 5,000 won; prices differ by salon. [ 2 ]
- The district installs entrance ramps after on-site checks and provides items such as large gowns, while the salons provide services to disabled residents in the low-income bracket. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Users bring a welfare card and a certificate as a benefit recipient or near-poor household; the district pays the discount to the salon, so no separate refund claim is needed. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The district plans to recruit participating salons on an ongoing basis and to publish locations, operating hours and how to use them on its website and at dong community centres. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Seodaemun-gu designated seven salons in six neighbourhoods as disability-friendly hair salons and began operating them this month. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The district signed agreements with the seven salons on Oct 1. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The district prepared the legal basis by enacting a related ordinance in July. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Registered disabled residents who are basic livelihood recipients or in the near-poor class get 10,000 won off once a month at designated salons. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The district covers the discount by paying the salons directly. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The district installs ramps and supplies items such as large gowns to the participating salons. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The district plans to expand the number of designated salons and publicise their locations and operating hours. [ 2 , 3 ]
- District chief Park Un-ki said the district will check whether the designated salons are comfortable in practice and will increase the number of usable salons by living area. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact date the ordinance was enacted. Asia Economy dates it to July 29, while Kyunghyang Shinmun says only that it was enacted in July; the two reports also render the ordinance's name slightly differently.
- The condition and readiness of the new disability-friendly space on Segeomjeong-ro. Asia Economy alone mentions that the district is separately preparing a disability-friendly salon space on Segeomjeong-ro, and gives no timing or details.
- Individual salon prices and operating hours. Asia Economy states that fees differ by salon and that users should check before visiting; the documents do not list prices or hours for each of the seven salons.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis reports that Seodaemun-gu has designated seven local hair salons as disability-friendly salons. [ 1 ]
- Asia Economy reports the designation, the Oct 1 agreement with the seven salons and the July 29 ordinance, and lists the salons and discount details. [ 2 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun reports the salons began operating this month, lists them and describes eligibility and the discount. [ 3 ]