Treat Accessibly casts a wider spell across Canada with big plans brewing

The first Treat Accessibly lawn sign went up in 2017, with just one home on a mission to make Halloween more inclusive for every child.

That family has continued to expand its operations and goals, with over 250,000 homes across the country now putting up bright orange signs, hoping to make trick-or-treating more inclusive for children with disabilities.

The co-founder of Treat Accessibly expects even more will join in this year, after several cities signed on board to proclaim Oct. 16 Treat Accessibly Preparation Day, a new celebration they are hoping will be part of Canadian traditions— still in the works for now.

Rich Padulo said a lot of big plans are happening, but mainly they are focused on spreading the message and teaching people how to make their homes inclusive for children with various disabilities. They also hope to expand into the U.S. further. Last year, some homeowners in the U.S. printed off their own versions of the orange signs to place on their lawns.

“We really hope to change this world, change this celebration to be better for our kids because if we can change a tradition like Halloween, we can do anything for our kids,” Padulo said on The Mike Farwell Show.

“We have a proclamation from six cities across Canada, capital cities, for Treat Accessibly Preparation Day on October 16. We’re going to rally the country as much as possible this year. But next year, since Halloween falls on a Saturday, we are going to challenge the country to treat one hour before sunset.”

In the next few years, Padulo and others hope more communities will adopt the concept to include options for children with disabilities, making more parents feel included as well. Some ways homes can do that include: limiting strobe or flashing lights, allergy-friendly options, sitting closer to the sidewalk and limiting loud noises such as a barking dog.

It’s estimated that one in ten children lives with a disability.

To get your free lawn sign or learn more information about how to make your home inclusive for every child this Halloween, go to Treat Accessibly’s website.