Just Cut It Barbershop offers haircuts to those with learning disabilities

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For most, getting a haircuts is no big deal. But for some people such as those with learning disabilities, it can be sensory overload.

“We set up that day for them, that way all the lights are not on and there’s not a lot of people in here, so it’s definitely not a lot of noise going on.”

Just Cut It looks like a normal barbershop, but on Wednesdays they do something special.

The shop opens their doors for a low sensory haircut to those with disabilities, like Amanda, who lives with Rett Syndrome.

“The noise made a big difference. She was able to sit a little bit longer. She was a little distracted but not as much distracted as she could’ve been with a barbershop full of people. The lights were a little dim. It made her more relaxed.”

Quinn Jones is a barber at the shop and says someone close to him inspired him to do this.

“To be honest my wife is the one who developed my heart to work with people with disabilities because that’s the field she specializes in.”

He wants to do as much as he can for these customers who deserve a haircut like everyone else.

“We’re all wired the same, in my opinion. It’s just the fact that, man doesn’t recognize a certain disability. We tend to isolate them, when in reality, they understand us so they don’t see us with a disability but we see them with a disability.”

Quinn’s wife, Allison Renee Jones, is an assistant professor at UNCW in the Special Education department.

She says this kind of service will make a deep impact in the community.

“This can be a very overloading or sensory overloading environment. And so, taking all of those variables out of the situation and giving that support and accommodations is what this population sometimes needs.”

These haircuts are only available by appointment on Wednesdays and the barbers are hoping other barbershops will do the same thing.

Click here to learn more about Just Cut It Barbershop.