Halloween is a fun-filled night for kids of all ages, delighting many with spooky festivities and treats galore. This day of tricks and treats is for everyone, but some children with different accessibility needs may have a difficult time with some traditional or commonplace costumes or decorations. Read these five top tips for an accessible Halloween to make the night more inclusive and spook-acular for everyone.
Consider choosing a costume without a mask, which can lead to safety and communication issues for those with accessibility needs. Masks can make communication difficult for those who are deaf or hard of hearing as they can muffle speech and interfere with hearing assistive devices. Remove masks for clearer communication and to make it easier for those with hearing loss to lipread. If masks are a crucial aspect of the costume, consider using face paint or special effects makeup as an alternative. For children with low vision, masks can also be a hindrance and can obstruct eyesight or limit vision.
When deciding where to set up your trick-or-treat station, make sure it is in an accessible and barrier-free location. Instead of handing out candy at the front door or on the porch, choose to designate the garage or the end of the driveway for your station. Ensure that there are no barriers or decorations blocking the path for those with low vision or mobility needs. Be sure to keep your station well lit and use signage to help direct trick-or- treaters safely.
Consider explaining the candy or other treats that you are handing out to children and place the goodies at eye level. Some trick-or-treaters may have a difficult time seeing or hearing what they are getting. By explaining what the treat is and holding it at the child’s eye level they are better able to choose the treat best for them and understand what you are offering.
Many trick-or-treaters have dietary restrictions and may not be able to eat candy or other sugary treats. Have non-food items like toys, stickers or crayons available for children with food allergies or other dietary restrictions so that they can still participate in the fun. If you choose to offer candy and non-food treats, be sure to keep the two in separate bowls to avoid mistakes or confusion.
If having a party or haunted house, let families and trick-or-treaters know beforehand of any surprises, loud noises or other effects. Avoid using strobe lights which can trigger seizures for those with epilepsy. Loud noises and scary sound effects can be overstimulating for children with sensory processing difficulties or autism. Unexpected and loud sounds can also be overwhelming for children with hearing-assistive devices.
Try out these tips for yourself and share with your neighbors and friends so that more trick-or-treaters can get in on the fun. Using signage to indicate that your home is accessible for all children can also make your house a destination for more families knowing that you are offering a safe trick-or-treating experience for all kids. On Halloween night, keep in mind that all kids communicate differently and remember to practice patience and understanding. Have a safe and spooky night no matter how you choose to celebrate, and include all children in your festive fun.
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