One small neighbourhood in Burlington is working together to make Halloween accessible to all, regardless of ability or allergies.
Jenn Sephton of Peart Court, in the Mountainside neighbourhood of Burlington, has organized with the neighbours in the court to have treat stations that are accessible to everyone, and non-food treats available that are safe for those with allergies. Though usually fairly quiet on Halloween, the eight-house court is hoping to attract more children with this year’s inclusive Halloween-party atmosphere. Sephton is also setting up a craft station with a fun and easy craft and a Halloween movie, which will play on a big screen.
Sephton is a Halloween-loving former kindergarten teacher who was diagnosed with lipedema in 2019. This chronic condition has led to mobility issues — Sephton currently requires a walker or wheelchair to get around, depending on how she’s feeling on a given day. Last Halloween, she saw a “Treat Accessibly” sign on her friend’s lawn, and that, coupled with her own declining mobility, led her to think about how kids with disabilities participate in Halloween. The Treat Accessibly sign signifies treats that kids (young or old) with mobility aids, different levels of communication, allergies, or other barriers can access easily. But, Sephton thought, it still must be difficult for families to have to walk or drive around to find houses with those signs where they can stop and trick-or-treat. And thus, she thought of putting on a whole-street Treat Accessibly Halloween, and when her teenage son Jack was hired at the end of the summer to put together Treat Accessibly signs by RE/MAX, a partner of the Treat Accessibly movement, the idea was further cemented.
Treat Accessibly started in 2017 in Toronto, founded by the Padulo family, Natasha, Rich, and their daughter Siena, who realized that the stairs up to their front door meant that a neighbour who uses a wheelchair could not trick-or-treat at their house. The family moved their treat station so that people of all abilities could visit at Halloween, and were struck by the thought that others may also want to ensure access for everyone — and so, Treat Accessibly was born.
Siena worked to raise awareness in schools of Halloween inclusivity and accessibility, starting with her own, The Toronto French School, leading to a Treat Accessibly School Pilot. Siena was awarded the Rick Hanson Foundation Difference Maker Award for her hard work.
The movement has grown, with partners including RE/MAX and Purolator providing free lawn signs for houses that participate in the event. Canadian Tire organized a Treat Accessibly Halloween Village in 2021 for 300 children with disabilities, and are continuing to support the expansion of Treat Accessibly across Canada.
And, of course, this year, Peart Court in Burlington has joined in, thanks to Jenn Sephton. So far, a couple of friends have donated for the event. If you’d like to make a donation of treats and/or craft items, please take a look at the Peart Court Halloween wish list on Amazon (click here), and join the event Facebook group page, “Treat Accessibly” Halloween Party (Peart Court, Burlington), for more information. All are welcome, regardless of ability, age, or allergies.
