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Deaf students aim to make beauty world more inclusive
TWO deaf hairdressing students are hopeful that the beauty industry will become more inclusive as they mark Deaf Awareness Week.
Maham Butt and Nemra Idris, both 21, study Hair and Beauty at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre.
The course gives the two students, who attended Mathew Moss High School, the opportunity to train in the Riverside Salon at the college’s Rochdale campus on St Mary’s Gate.
The pair have also completed recent work experience placements while studying for their sought-after qualifications.
Maham, who worked at The Retreat salon, said: “My work placement was fantastic. I did so many different things and it was really high level.
“I was so impressed with the experience and I think it will really help me find a job in the future. It’s so important to be inclusive. I’d be able to say ‘hi, welcome!’ and find out what the customers wanted.
“It would be much easier for the deaf client, which is key because it’s so important that they get treatments in hairdressing and beauty.”
The pair believe they are evidence that deaf and hearing impaired people can enjoy mainstream beauty settings.
Maham is working towards a career as a mobile hairdresser that works with deaf clients while Nemra, is following a similar route but with an emphasis on online hair tutorials.
Nemra said: “It’s been so valuable to watch and observe how hairdressers operate. I really feel like a resilient attitude is something that’s really worth having in hairdressing - I never give up when I get stuck!”
“We’d really welcome deaf people at the Riverside Salon. I’d understand them very easily and I’d have that different relationship with them.
“I could ensure that the communication was a really easy flowing situation and there’d be no need to write anything down.”
The Retreat owner Emma Russo said more salons should follow suit with similar work placements.
She said: “Maham’s work experience really broadened my perspective and made me feel confident that we can work with different people of different abilities.
“She was so hardworking and her deafness wasn’t a barrier whatsoever. People like Maham add so much value to the industry.”