What does it mean to be accessible? For someone without disabilities, it might just seem like a buzzword or a vague idea, but for disabled people, it’s the difference between being included and sitting on the sidelines. And while massage therapy might seem like a relatively accessible service, many massage therapists in Vancouver, WA lack awareness of how their businesses inherently exclude the people who could most benefit from their services.
At Green Sprout Massage, we do things a little differently. Owned and operated by someone with an invisible and dynamic disability, we have unique awareness of the struggles faced by the disabled community.
Simply put: can an individual access the space and services provided? It’s a simple yes or no question, with a wide variety of applications depending on the individual.
There’s no one answer, because accessibility needs are as varied as the citizens of Vancouver, WA, but with every decision I make for Green Sprout Massage, I am choosing the option that increases accessibility.
This can mean big things, like having a hydraulic massage table that moves up and down with a touch of a button, making it easier for people with mobility issues to get on and off the table.
And it can mean smaller things, like maintaining a scent-free environment, so as not to trigger headaches or nausea in people who are sensitive to smells.
Is the furniture sturdy? Would someone with a bigger body not only be able to fit, but comfortably fit? Are the hallways wide enough for someone in a wheelchair? And accessibility is not limited to physical spaces, it’s something I consider in my online spaces as well. Is my website design accessible for color blind and visually impaired people? Is my communication clear? Am I sending frequent enough reminders?
The furniture in the lobby and treatment rooms of WellSpace is made to hold 350lbs, with wide seats for maximum comfort. There are also benches with no arm rests for clients who prefer more space.
And the best part about increasingly accessibility for specific individuals? It often creates a better environment for everybody! The “curb cut effect” describes how increasing accessibility for some (like wheelchair users and the sloping curb areas that allow them to transition to the crosswalk) actually makes things better for a much wider group of people (like parents with strollers, cyclists, and travelers with rolling luggage).
I am always working to improve accessibility. My current focus is maintaining covid-cautious practices to increase accessibility for high risk individuals. I wear an n95 respirator in all my sessions, as well as in my day-to-day life, to ensure minimum risk of catching and spreading a dangerous virus. While masks are currently optional for clients, I provide high-quality masks for use during sessions and to take home, in case clients want extra protection but don’t have access to respirators. I schedule a minimum of thirty minutes between clients, to give the room ample time to air out. And of course, I have an air filter running at all times.
If there’s anything I can do better, please let me know! I am so grateful to every client who has provided me feedback and given me the opportunity to better serve a wide variety of people, and I look forward to better tailoring my approach to the specific needs of Vancouver, WA.