Our Vision
Hair & Care is a multi-award-winning social enterprise dedicated to transforming accessibility and inclusion for blind and low-vision people within hair, beauty and fashion. Rooted in lived experience and industry expertise, we work across community, education and culture to challenge convention, remove barriers and create more inclusive ways for people to experience these industries.
-
In the UK, over 2 million people live with sight loss – a figure expected to double by 2050. More than 40% feel disconnected from the world around them. People with visual impairments are also more than twice as likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts, with isolation and exclusion being key contributing factors.
This exclusion is particularly noticeable in beauty and fashion: industries that are central to, and so important for, identity, self-expression and how people feel – yet are largely designed around visual ideals. Inaccessible products, services and spaces send a damaging message – that beauty and style are not for everyone. This marginalisation not only prevents blind and low vision people from fully experiencing these spaces and connecting to their sense of identity, but it also reinforces stigma, isolation and poor mental health and self-esteem.
-
Accessible Hair Education
We deliver expert-led hairstyling workshops that teach blind and low vision women and girls practical skills to care for and style their hair with greater confidence and independence, while promoting mental wellbeing and reducing isolation.
Making Fashion Accessible (MFA)
Our internationally recognised initiative – MFA – brings accessibility to the runway through live audio description, tactile experiences and inclusive show design. We work with leading designers to reimagine how fashion can be experienced – creating access, connectivity and promoting representation.
Educating the Industry
We equip hairstylists and industry professionals with the skills and understanding to create more accessible and inclusive experiences for blind and low vision clients – helping to drive better inclusion from the ground up.
Creating Industry Change
Through partnerships, events and conversations, we engage brands, creatives, professionals and communities to explore how accessibility can become embedded across hair, beauty and fashion.
-
Hair & Care was founded in 2019 by internationally renowned session hairstylist Anna Cofone, inspired by her personal experience of growing up with a blind father, and more than two decades working at the highest levels of the hair and fashion industries.
What began with accessible hairstyling workshops to support women and girls with sight loss, has since grown into an award-winning organisation working across community, professional education, fashion, innovation and industry advocacy.
-
From an idea to an industry movement.
In 2019, Hair & Care began with its first accessible hairstyling workshops.
Today, Hair & Care is now a growing community of blind and low vision people, trained professionals and leading brands & creative partners that are helping to shape a more accessible future.
Our Key Achievements