Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and across Canada there’s an initiative to make the evening more inclusive. Treat Accessibly campaigns work to have families offer treats out in front of their homes so people with limited mobility can take part. When she was six years old, Rich Padulo’s daughter Siena realized their front steps kept kids with disabilities away from the Halloween treats. Her trick was to bring the sweets out to a table where access is easier. “Be prepared for children who can speak and those who may not be verbal,” Rich Padulo said. ”You don’t ask them to say thank you, and their parents don’t have to apologize for not making eye contact or saying trick or treat. It makes all the difference in the world to the parents and the kids. It supports mobility, sensory and neurological disabilities.” Padulo founded Treat Accessibly and is also an appointee to the Ontario Accessibility Standards Advisory Council. He says 300,000 homes across Canada now do Halloween this way. “What’s interesting about a treat accessible home is it’s positively infectious,” he said. ”You’ll get another neighbour doing it and another neighbour doing it.” That’s exactly what happened on Place de Toul in Lorraine, a city northeast of Montreal. Three years ago, Melanie Lechasseur started to “Treat Accessibly” by handing out Halloween goodies at the end of her driveway. “It is very, very nice to see it,” said Lechasseur. ”They have big smile and they are very happy. It’s secure environment, so it’s easier for them to go to different houses. So, a lot of joy and a lot of smiles.” She adds that hundreds of kids come visit and all her neighbours are involved since they’ve built a community around Halloween. “We know everybody. Everybody’s joined the activities!” she said. On Oct. 31 this year, Place de Toul will be closed to cars and open to trick-or-treaters of every kind starting at 4 p.m. Anyone who wants to join can identify their home as accessible with a Treat Accessibly sign, which are free to pick up at 25 Maxi store locations in the greater Montreal area. “This is the concept too, to include everybody this year in your neighbourhood,” said Lechasseur. ”If you can put some signs and kids will come and enjoy Halloween with everybody.” The Treat Accessibly website has more tips on making the trick-or-treat experience more welcoming for everyone. Padulo says his dream is to grow the program to one million homes across Canada. “If you live with a wheelchair, autism or face any barriers due to health or allergies, you’ll have street accessible street in your community looking out for you,” he said.
