While Halloween is supposed to be scary, for some children it can be downright frightening for all the wrong reasons.
It can be great to dress up in costume and be rewarded with treats and candy, but the obstacles and barriers that come along the way makes it difficult for some to take part.
That was the way it was for me as a child — a child in a wheelchair.
Halloween could be exhausting and exclusionary, since my trick-or-treating involved the support of my siblings. They would go up to a door (it usually had steps) and — after getting their own candy — would hold out my bag and ask if they could get some treats for their older sister. They would point to me at the bottom of the driveway, sitting in my wheelchair, as I waved back.
As an adult, I still use a chair and am annually presented with that same Halloween challenge. Now it’s seeing how I can take part in trick-or-treating with my two young sons.
Thankfully, there is greater awareness and effort to make Halloween more accessible. It’s not perfect, but we are making progress.
At Five Counties Children’s Centre, we’re trying to make trick-or-treating more inclusive with our first-ever All-o-ween. The event is for our children and families who currently receive treatment at the centre or who are waiting for services.
All-o-ween is free and runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at Five Counties sites in Peterborough on October 28, in Cobourg on October 29, and in Lindsay on October 30.
As the name implies, All-o-ween is for children of all abilities. Five Counties clients (as well as their siblings) will go around indoors to trick-or-treat at the doors of offices and treatment rooms that Five Counties staff have decorated for the occasion.
For children with sensory issues, there are no loud music or bright lights. For those with allergies, there are peanut-free treats and non-food items available.
Children can dress up in costume, wear orange and black, or come just as they are.
We just ask that Five Counties families pre-register at www.fivecounties.on.ca/alloween.
There are many ways each of us can put the “all” into Halloween.
An easy one is setting up a trick-or-treating station that’s accessible and barrier-free for every child to enjoy. If you have stairs in the front of your home, consider setting up an accessible treat station on the front lawn, driveway, or garage. You could also take a “trunk-or-treat” approach event by handing out candy from the trunk of your vehicle.
Clearing the path for trick-or-treaters is also beneficial. You can set up your treat station so that it’s free of obstacles and well-lit. If need be, park your vehicle on the street or garage to create more space in your driveway. Being mindful of the treats you hand out can also benefit kids with food allergies or sensitivities.
Being inclusive for Halloween lets you show off your creativity and craftiness too. Try to design a costume that meets your child’s unique needs and situation.
If a child has sensory issues or sensitivities to traditional Halloween costumes, consider making your own using simple and soft clothing that reflects a child’s preferences. Many party stores carry adaptive and accessible styles of costumes, including ones that cover wheelchairs.
Regardless of a child’s age or ability, there are many tricks we can use to make Halloween a treat for everyone.
