Organization aims to make trick-or-treating accessible for all
Posted Oct 25, 2021 02:06:00 PM.
One Canadian father has started a movement aimed at making trick-or-treating accessible for all children.
Rich Padulo of Treat Accessibly said even a few stairs leading up to your porch could prevent some of your neighbourhood kids from participating in the fun.
“[One year] I locked eyes with probably an 8-year-old boy who was using a wheelchair as I was putting pumpkins on my stairs and it occurred to me he wouldn't be able to treat at our home,” he told CityNews 95.7's The Todd Veinotte Show.
“Then I kind of panned out at the other houses and they have stairs, every single one of them.”
Padulo told his wife and daughter about his experience, which prompted them to put up a sign letting neighbours know everyone would be able to get treats from their house, then they moved the handing out of candy to their driveway.
“Halloween is a time for socialization of children and to enjoy things,” he explained. “Kids plan and think about Halloween months in advance.”
“There's 400,000 children in Canada that have disabilities, either intellectual, mobility or sensory, that don't permit them to trick-or-treat with other kids.”
In addition to handing out candy from the driveway, garage, or trunk of the car, Treat Accessibly also recommends making sure driveways and paths are well lit and cleared of cars and other large objects.
It also suggests keeping pets inside and staying away from strobe lights or high-pitched, sudden loud noises.
Families can go to the Treat Accessibly website to print out a sign letting the neighbourhood know their house will be accessible to all.
Signs will also be handed out on the Saint Mary's University campus this Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saint Mary’s University is collaborating with @treataccessibly to make trick-or-treating accessible to everybody! Pick up a lawn sign on campus on Thurs., Oct. 28 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to indicate that your home is accessible to all trick-or-treaters. https://t.co/A4mEztJUkZ
