Heidi Braylock, a hair stylist
at Fantastic Sams in Roseville, had a problem: “We [stylists]
need sinks that raise up or down. And it’s hard to cut hair
for people in wheelchairs because they are so low. Kills your back.” Her
concern appeared in the article “Getting
a Good Haircut: Customers and stylists speak out on using PCAs at the salon,” in
Access Press’ October 10, 2007 edition.
Dave Shusterich, president of Accessible Systems in Minneapolis,
which makes Adjust-a-Sink, saw Braylock’s comment and thought, “We
have that product!” He immediately contacted Access Press and
offered to have his company donate an Adjust-a-Sink to three local
salons, seeking to show them that using the right equipment is “vital
to commercial salons that have to accommodate customers in a more
mobile and accessible society.”
Adjust-a-Sink was invented in the early 1990s by Barb
Klawitter, a Burnsville resident and licensed beautician who managed
salons in senior care facilities in the Twin Cities for more than
24 years. “[The
Adjust-a-Sink] raises or lowers twelve inches. So if you have people
in a wheelchair, it will come up to their neck height….It reduces
the chance for neck injuries and other complications, particularly
stroke.” According to Shusterich, the Adjust-a-Sink is the only
shampoo sink available today that raises and lowers vertically so handles
of a wheelchair can go under the sink. “There are 1500 in use
nationwide and never has one been removed.”
Accessible Systems bought the Adjust-a-Sink
from Klawitter in 2007 with the hope of expanding the business beyond
senior care facilities. Shus-terich explains that their interest
in the product was two-fold. “We
thought it had great marketing potential but was also doing good in
society.” He saw the need for an adjustable sink for a wide range
of customers, including himself: “I’ve never had a comfortable
shampoo [in a salon].”
In early 2008 Accessible Systems made good on their
promise and donated and installed the sinks in three area salons:
Fantastic Sams on Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Center, the Hair Shoppe
in Bloomin-gton, and Riverfront Cutters in Oak Park Heights. Response
from the stylists has been overwhelmingly positive. June Romann is
a stylist at Fantastic Sams with 30 years experience. She was pleased
to find that clients did not have to transfer out of their wheelchairs
to get a shampoo: “I’ve had clients
say they’re coming back just because of that convenience.” Her
fellow stylist Melanie Dehoop was pleased with the sink’s ease
of use. “I can get it to the right level without straining my
back.” She found that it was great for a wide range of customers
too, not just the elderly or those with disabilities. “Kids
are less afraid of getting a shampoo in this sink.”
Ted Halone, proprietor
of The Hair Shoppe in Bloomington was effusive in his praise: “It is absolutely the very best tool in the business.
I just can’t say enough good…my clients’ necks love
it – and my back is praising its versatility! As a veteran hairdresser
of over 40 years I can’t express enough how important this is.” His
stylist Jill Fuglsby discovered that the sink was useful for shampooing
tall customers as well. “They don’t have to lay all the
way back.”
Riverfront Cutters owner Marylene Kurkowski was surprised when Shusterich
offered to donate an Adjust-a-Sink to her salon several months ago.
Although she knew shampoo sinks that could slide forward were available,
she had not seen a sink with a height adjustment feature. But the benefits
for customers became quickly apparently and now Riverfront stylist
Alisa Kolongowski uses it for all her clients.
Tae Choi, owner of three
Fantastic Sams franchises, including the salon in Roseville where
Braylock is employed and two salons in Brooklyn Center, said she
was not interested when Shusterich offered an Adjust-a-Sink for
one of her salons, imagining it was “only useful for nursing
homes.” But after trying a sink she realized it was “very
comfortable” and agreed to add one to her new salon in Brooklyn
Center. To her surprise, a wide range of clients liked using the sink,
including little children and the elderly. Now she describes the sink
as “really great” and laughs to remember that she initially “refused
four times” to accept Shusterich’s donation.
Kolongowski also laughed at the thought of anyone being particularly
interested in a shampoo sink: “there is only so much you can
say about a sink.” But she and other stylists interviewed agreed
that reducing strain on them and their clients made for a more accessible
salon and allowed stylists to provide better service to all customers.
Halone summed it up for many stylists: “If only I would have
had this earlier.” He recalled “many situations” when
a customer with disabilities “struggled receiving hair services.
With the Adjust-a-Sink the dignity and comfort are not compromised…I
truly believe that this is a must for every salon that opens their
doors for business.” ![]()
