Treat Accessibly brings inclusive trick-or-treating to Hamilton

Costumes, candy and a big trek around the neighbourhood spells fun for most families around Halloween.

But for those with accessibility issues it can be a challenge. One group is looking to change that.

Any family with children who have sensory needs or even mobility issues knows Halloween can be a real challenge. Treat Accessibly is a group with nationwide reach who touched down in Hamilton today.

Halloween came early on Cartier Crescent in Hamilton today. A grassroots movement, shutting down a street to make trick-or-treating more accessible for those who need it, has now spread across Canada with 100,000 homes participating. It started with Siena Padulo at only 14 years old.

“By moving your treats to the street and handing out candy from the end of your driveway during Halloween, which removes 90 per cent of the barriers that trick-or-treating causes, such as stairs, for example,” said Padulo

The idea for these ‘treat accessible villages’ came from one Halloween when Padulo saw a kid struggling to have fun and wanted to help. Now there are events all across Canada in October – free for families to participate, and owners too, through sponsorship.

“Word came up the street and it was just like, yes, let’s do this as a community for us to be able to give back,” said Andrew Courchesne, a resident on Cartier Crescent.

Being on the autism spectrum, Halloween can often be an overwhelming experience at night. Joanna Roberts’ daughter named Alice has autism, and Roberts is thankful for this event and it being so inclusive.

“It’s a much more chill and calm environment, and it allows both kids to come and participate,” said Roberts.

Treat Accessibly ambassador Anthony Frisina says accessibility needs to be thought of as more than just mobility — to include sight, hearing, issues with allergies or even sensory needs.

Frisina remembers when he started trick-or-treating as a kid. He was walking at the time but tired easily climbing stairs.

“So having an event like this, allowing the capacity for individuals of all abilities to trick or treat in an environment, in a place and space like anybody else is really critical,” said Frisina.

Treat Accessibly is offering lawn signs to identify your home as a safe space in advance of Halloween.

More information about the organization can be found on the Treat Accessibly website.

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