Simple Cuts Plus, a Madison hair salon at 2852 East Washington Ave., is hosting an informational session this Sunday, March 29, from 1-3 p.m. to introduce its new Sensory Safe Salon program, designed to make haircuts more accessible for neurodivergent clients.
Co-owner Aundrea Booker said she and her team earned their Sensory Safe certification at a hair show last year through Sensory Safe Solutions, a nonprofit organization founded by a stylist whose own child struggled with sensory issues during haircuts.
“Going to the salon can be overwhelming and uncomfortable for people with sensitivity issues, and we learned a lot of things that we can do to just make them feel more welcome and more of a comfortable environment,” Booker said.
The program will offer dedicated appointments one Sunday a month, when the salon is closed to the public. Those sessions will feature longer appointment times, semi-private settings, dimmed lighting, no background music, weighted capes, and fidget toys — accommodations tailored to each client’s needs.
“There’s different triggers for different people,” Booker said. “So if maybe it’s the lights, we can dim the lights. … There won’t be a ton of people in there. It’ll be kind of semi-private appointments.”
Booker said the salon already serves a number of neurodivergent clients during regular hours, but standard scheduling can create stress for both families and staff when a 30-minute appointment isn’t enough time. Parents and adults will fill out a form in advance so stylists know each client’s specific sensory triggers.
“We just want to do something that is more comfortable for everybody,” Booker said.
The first sensory-safe appointments are expected to begin April 12, with sessions continuing monthly. Appointments will be offered at normal pricing for a one-hour slot. Booker said she believes Simple Cuts Plus is the only certified sensory-safe salon currently operating in the Madison area.
Sunday’s session is open to anyone interested in learning about the program or who knows someone who could benefit from it.
