{"id":31304,"date":"2022-08-09T10:47:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T17:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/black-sheep-salon-long-beach-ada-anniversary"},"modified":"2022-08-09T14:54:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T21:54:35","slug":"black-sheep-salon-long-beach-ada-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/news\/black-sheep-salon-long-beach-ada-anniversary","title":{"rendered":"At this Long Beach salon, inclusion isn’t an afterthought\u2014it’s the mission"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a typical day, Corissa Barro has research to do before she leaves the house for a routine errand. The 37-year-old with close-cropped hair and a punk-rock sensibility uses a wheelchair for mobility, so she checks ahead of time to see if her destination is accessible.<\/p>\n

But on a recent trip to Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach, the expectations were reversed. Instead of having to navigate an environment built for people who experience the world differently than she does, Barro was welcomed by a wide door frame that easily accommodated her wheelchair. A sign in the window read, \u201cFight for disability justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside\u2014surrounded by walls painted with vibrant hues of teal, orange, leopard print and polka dot\u2014styling chairs are moveable and adjustable, and a portable shampoo sink can be placed behind Barro\u2019s chair to ensure her salon experience is safe and dignified.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a great feeling knowing that disabled people are prioritized here,\u201d said Barro.<\/p>\n

Barro used to do her hair at home. Her short buzz cut is easy to maintain, picks up bleach and any vibrant color with ease, and it was always cheaper than going to a salon where the experience was often as unpleasant as the price itself.<\/p>\n

Today, however, being in a space where she felt physically comfortable made it easy for Barro to trust her stylist, so, she asked to be surprised, only requesting something that would match her brash, outgoing sense of style.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I tend to dress more colorful and go more out there so my disability isn\u2019t the focus,\u201d she said. \u201cIt gives me a sense of individualism.\u201d<\/p>\n

As its name suggests, Black Sheep Salon was designed to serve those like Barro who have been \u201coften treated as afterthoughts in the beauty industry,\u201d according to its website. Since opening its doors in November 2021, owner Marie Rolla\u2019s approach has been to create a space that services everyone no matter their size, gender, sexuality or disability.<\/p>\n

On July 26, customers like Barro eagerly filed into Black Sheep Salon for a free haircut, many for the very first time. The salon hosted an event to commemorate the 32nd birthday of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to celebrate Disability Pride Month, offering anyone with a physical or neurological disability a free haircut to take advantage of the many accommodations available to them.<\/p>\n

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Emily Aarsvold gets her hair done at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The salon hosted a free hair-cutting event for people who have a disability to honor the 32nd birthday of the ADA. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ADA, which was signed into law in 1990, was a turning point for the disabled community and represented a decades-long campaign of protest and activism to ensure that disabled people had equal access to public spaces and services but it certainly did not solve the problem entirely. The beauty industry especially has lagged far behind, said Rolla.<\/p>\n

Rolla, 32, never wanted to own a business. Having been a hairstylist for over 13 years, she knew the stress that came with being an owner but also began to notice a lack of access in traditional salon settings for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and disabled people. When she came to terms with her own autism diagnosis a year and a half ago, it became the catalyst to creating a space that she felt comfortable being in and working in.<\/p>\n

Asking for too much is never a problem here, said Rolla. \u201cThese are people that deserve the same access to places that you and I get.” Though it’s been an ambitious undertaking to offer accommodations for every disability, the least she can do is try.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tunowa Silva cuts hair at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The salon hosted a free hair-cutting event for people who have a disability to honor the 32nd birthday of the ADA. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/span><\/p>\n

A sign posted on a mirror lists all the accommodations available. Clients with sensory sensitivities can ask for earplugs, fragrance-free products or to use the salon’s quiet room to get away from the chaos of whirling blow dryers and the constant buzz of hair clippers. Additionally, stylists are trained to work with all hair textures and anyone who may be uncomfortable during their appointment is encouraged to speak up and voice their concerns.<\/p>\n

Rolla wants her example to someday become the standard instead of the exception.<\/p>\n

“I hope it’s a funny joke I can tell later,” said Rolla, laughing. “Remember when we had a disability salon because nobody serviced disabled people?”<\/p>\n

In one corner of the salon, stylist Andy Sedillos wore a clear face mask to communicate with their client, Rachel Mix. Mix, who is deaf, has frequently found it difficult to express her wants at a salon, but thanks to the transparent mask, she was able to easily read Sedillos’ lips when they inquired about the style she was going for\u2014long layers with face-framing and volume.<\/p>\n

“A lot of times, you go to salons and they are very tight and rigid. You can\u2019t be who you are, and you’re worried about being judged,” said Mix. When she learned about the event at Black Sheep Salon through social media, she was shocked that a place like this even existed.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Marie Rolla cuts the hair of Emily Aarsvold at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach Tuesday, July 26, 2022. the salon hosted a free hair-cutting event for people who have a disability to honor the 32nd birthday of the ADA. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2018, there were 46,000 disabled working-age people living in Long Beach<\/a>. Since then, the city has taken strides toward ensuring that the disabled community is acknowledged such as the recently installing ADA accessible beach mats along the city’s coast<\/a>. However, there is far more to be done to ensure equal access for all, said Mix.<\/p>\n

She currently works as a recreational therapist and as a job coach for the Adult Transition Program at the Anaheim Union School District, helping neurodivergent young adults develop job skills and social skills to allow them to self-advocate for their disabilities. She hopes to soon transition into being an ADA coordinator to ensure that there is equal access everywhere.<\/p>\n

“Listen to disabled people,” said Mix. “They\u2019re the ones that know more about what needs to be done.”<\/p>\n

\"\"
Andy Sedillos, left, cuts the hair of Rachel Mix at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The salon hosted a free hair-cutting event for people who have a disability to honor the 32nd birthday of the ADA. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon after Barro arrived at the salon, she and her stylist decided on what her new hair color would be, a bright pink base with intricately painted black cockroaches scattered throughout. An ode to John Waters and Divine, the design was inspired by the cockroach dress worn in \u201cHairspray\u201d and represented their shared love and appreciation for drag culture. “It’s pretty punk rock if you ask me,” said stylist Leah Davidson.<\/p>\n

After five arduous hours of waiting for her color to fully develop, Barro\u2019s masterpiece was complete. \u201cI can already think of all the outfits I’m going to wear with it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt makes me really happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

With only one customer remaining in the salon that Tuesday, Rolla let out a sigh of relief as if to say, “we did it.”<\/p>\n

“This is what normal looks like,” she said, looking around at the safe space she’s created.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story has been updated to correct the occupation of Rachel Mix and to clarify that she is deaf, not deaf and hard of hearing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Corissa Barro after her haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Laura Anaya-Morga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Corissa Barro after her haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Laura Anaya-Morga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Emily Aarsvold looks in the mirror and admires her new haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The salon hosted a free hair-cutting event for people who have a disability to honor the 32nd birthday of the ADA. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Emily Aarsvold after her haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova. “I’m neurodivergent,” said Aarsvold, 29, “And certain aspects of haircare are really tough. … Getting haircuts that require a lot of maintenance have always been really hard.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Jessica Valasquez gets her hair done at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach Tuesday, July 26, 2022. the salon hosted a free hair-cutting event for people who have a disability to honor the 32nd birthday of the ADA. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Jessica Velasquez after her haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova. “I think it’s neat because I\u2019ve never seen a salon do what this salon is doing,” Velazquez, 27, said. “Sometimes I can get overwhelmed in regular salons but it’s nice to know that everyone here understands how people can have different sensitivities to things.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Angela Strobel after their haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Laura Anaya-Morga. “I haven’t been to a salon in five-ish years,” Strobel, 32, said. “Most salons I went to weren’t super inclusive especially when I would tell them I wanted something shaved down, they were kind of appalled by it.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Monica Gonzalez after her haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Laura Anaya-Morga. “As the years go by you start to get more comfortable with it,” Monica Gonzalez, 27, said of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. “You learn to advocate for yourself. Sometimes you have to pave a path for someone else.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Erin Danzer after her haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Laura Anaya-Morga. “It’s been challenging to find a salon that is accommodating to the community,” Danzer, 24, said. “It was really cool that they were really inclusive and even offered to do this.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Shane Robinson after his haircut at Black Sheep Salon in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photo by Laura Anaya-Morga.\u00a0“They were very attentive with what I wanted with my hair,” Robinson, 17, said.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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