I was briefly part of a work group in spring of 2022 that focused on accessibility standards for the spa. We called it the Equity workgroup.

Why would that be important?

Why would a spa consider how someone in a wheelchair might receive massage therapy? Why would it be important to consider how somebody transgender should be guided to the locker rooms? How they should be addressed? Why would it be important to consider what pronouns and what names might be used in an intake form? Why might it be important to consider how someone of Black skin and hair is guided through services and oils that might not be the best for their skin and hair types? Why might it be important to consider how to drape a bigger body who might require more than one towel and might require an XXL bathrobe?

It’s important because it teaches… Accessibility. But more importantly, it teaches Collective Care. It teaches collective liberation. It teaches that “luxury” services and healing arts and centers for bringing care to the forefront of conversation are also places that can put elitism and classism to the side. Accessibility is important because we understand that in order to help our children, we’re looking out for All children.

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