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Netizens Bash This Barber For Upcharging Kids With Special Needs, He Says It’s A Misunderstanding

Netizens Bash This Barber For Upcharging Kids With Special Needs, He Says It’s A Misunderstanding

Barber Forced To Apologize After Being Named And Shamed For Charging Extra To Cut Disabled Kids’ HairNetizens Bash This Barber For Upcharging Kids With Special Needs, He Says It’s A MisunderstandingHairdresser Receives Backlash Online For Charging More For Kids With Special Needs, Explains SituationThis Barber Became A Villain In Netizens' Eyes After Charging Extra Money For Disabled Kids’ HaircutsBarber Tries To Defend Himself After Netizens Publicize That He Charges Special Needs Kids ExtraSalon Accused Of Discriminating Against Disabled Kids Because They Charge Extra For Their HaircutsNetizens Find Out Barber Charges “Special Needs Boys” Extra, The Outrage Goes ViralPeople Find Out Barber Charges Special Needs Customers Extra, Leading To Heated ArgumentsNetizens Name And Shame Hairdresser For Hiking Haircut Costs For Disabled ChildrenNetizens Find Out Hairdresser Is Charging Extra To Cut Hair For Disabled Boys, Say It's Illegal
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The world is already a tough place to live in, and it can become even more difficult if you’re disabled. People with special needs often face discrimination based on their abilities and sometimes even the way they look. It is challenging to keep fighting back against this kind of prejudice all the time.

Sometimes this inequality can show up in the smallest ways. For example, people online recently found out that a hairdresser in the United Kingdom was charging extra to give boys with special needs haircuts. 

More info: X (Twitter)

Disabled people shouldn’t be treated differently than able-bodied people, which is why people are striving to shine a light on and change practices that are still unequal

Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)

Recently, a sign in a barbershop went viral, and the hairdresser received major backlash for charging higher prices to special needs boys for haircuts

It all started on Facebook when a woman named Leanne Caffrey shared a picture of a barbershop’s sign with all its pricing details. The price list was divided into two sections, with a boys’ section on top and a girls’ section at the bottom. For boys, the prices ranged from £12-15 for the different types of haircuts. The pricing was slightly higher for girls.

The woman was angered that special needs boys were being charged £2 extra for haircuts. She captioned the post, saying, ‘I never out small businesses. But this has made me really cross.’ This isn’t the first time there have been extra charges levied on people for being differently abled. A wheelchair user in India was unfairly charged extra when boarding a bus because his wheelchair was considered “luggage.”

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Image credits: @Wayne57072607

The post received a lot of attention, and people from X were outraged at the discrimination towards children with special needs

The post went viral and was reposted by people on X. A man named Wayne reshared it and stated that his wife visited that same hairdresser. He also told people that the shop’s name was Ranya Unisex Salon in Rosehill and encouraged them to leave comments for the hairdresser. Netizens were understandably angry at the shop owner and could not believe that anyone would charge different prices for kids with special needs. 

It should also be noted that people with special needs already have to deal with many extra direct and indirect costs as a result of their differences. The significant outrage from people online prompted the salon owner, Shwan Kadir, to apologize and explain his side of the situation. The 49-year-old stated that he had owned the shop for the past 17 years and could not believe that people were taking issue with his pricing sign.

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Image credits: ryanjames1979

The barber mentioned that he would charge an additional £2 if he felt that the haircut would take longer, but he would let people know about the pricing beforehand

The owner of the hairdressing shop shared a lengthy statement with people online. He called it a total “misunderstanding” and mentioned that he would never “discriminate [against] any children/adults that have learning difficulties.” Shwan clarified that the pricing sign had been in his shop for a long time and that they had never charged any special needs children that price.

He went on to add that the cost might increase if the haircut requires more time. Apart from the price points, he clarified that they are “trained to deal with disabilities and try [their] best to make having a hair cut a happy place for everyone.” The shop apparently also has an autism specialist. Once all the social media posts began pouring in, the owner taped over the sign with the pricing details.

Image credits: ryanjames1979

Many people did not accept his explanation or apology. Some stated that it was discrimination to treat children with social and sensory difficulties differently and have them pay more. They felt that hairdressers should have more empathy for kids with different needs. People also stated that it was illegal to discriminate in this way, citing the UK Equality Act of 2010.

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Some people sided with the barber stating that “time-based cuts might take longer to settle” or that “it’s quite dangerous to cut the hair of a special needs person, they might not comply with the barber holding sharp scissors.” 

Image credits: @Wayne57072607

According to the HIE Help Center, “although kids with sensory challenges are often upset by day-to-day tasks such as brushing teeth, many parents report that one of the most distressing activities is going for a haircut.” This can be because some disabled children find the buzzing or clipping sounds too noisy, the lights too bright, or the sensation of someone touching their hair unpleasant.

Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)

Hairdressers can create a safe space for their client by explaining to them how the process will work, slowly moving through each step, and being patient with the child. Sensory-friendly haircuts involve some modifications to the traditional experience to make it more comfortable for disabled children. This can involve using softer and quieter tools or adjusting their cutting techniques.

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What did you think of the different pricing on the barber’s signboard? Do you think it was a form of discrimination against kids with special needs? Let us know in the comments.

Some people came out in support of the barber, trying to explain why the extra cost made sense

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Others were not as forgiving, and on X, opinions were still split

Image credits: Wayne57072607

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Beverly Noronha

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Beverly Noronha

Beverly Noronha

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You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

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Monika Pašukonytė

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I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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Bailey
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are going to post a story, please take the time to actually read what you are posting. Multiple times in the article, including the headline, it says the barber was charging more for "disabled children", and you name the barber. From the picture the extra charge is for "special needs", and the barber in his response clearly says this is referring to cases where there are additional needs, and cuts that take longer. At no point does anyone say a disabled child was actually charged more, it was clearly a poorly worded sign, he has apologized for any offence and advised he will change the sign. Pushing this article with that narrative is irresponsible, and will just drive stupid people who have nothing to do with what happened to harass and bully a small business

and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. I’m disabled and I have literally no problem with this. If it takes a fair bit longer or the kid is throwing a tantrum, it makes perfect sense to charge more. Honestly.

Load More Replies...
Ms.GB
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't seem that English is the first language of the barber. Maybe they interpreted special needs as special style needs...

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Bailey
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are going to post a story, please take the time to actually read what you are posting. Multiple times in the article, including the headline, it says the barber was charging more for "disabled children", and you name the barber. From the picture the extra charge is for "special needs", and the barber in his response clearly says this is referring to cases where there are additional needs, and cuts that take longer. At no point does anyone say a disabled child was actually charged more, it was clearly a poorly worded sign, he has apologized for any offence and advised he will change the sign. Pushing this article with that narrative is irresponsible, and will just drive stupid people who have nothing to do with what happened to harass and bully a small business

and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. I’m disabled and I have literally no problem with this. If it takes a fair bit longer or the kid is throwing a tantrum, it makes perfect sense to charge more. Honestly.

Load More Replies...
Ms.GB
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't seem that English is the first language of the barber. Maybe they interpreted special needs as special style needs...

Load More Comments
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