Students and families across the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) took part in the Treat Accessibly initiative, helping make Halloween celebrations fun and barrier-free for every child.
Soreya D., a Grade 11 student at Dante Alighieri Academy, volunteered with her family to set up an accessible treat station in their neighbourhood, helping ensure that all children, including those with disabilities, could safely participate in Halloween activities.
Reflecting on her experience, Soreya shared:
“I had a lot of fun setting up the treat station and decorating it for my neighbours this Halloween. This opportunity meant a lot to me because I know people who live with disabilities. Some of them are visible and some not so visible. I have noticed people with disabilities are often overlooked and excluded from everyday social activities. I think that we can make changes to our social activities so that everyone can feel included. By making a small change, like moving Halloween candy to a driveway, it meant a child with mobility issues could participate in something as simple as trick-or-treating that most of us take for granted. I know that these gestures make us better people.”
Treat Accessibly Founder, Mr. Rich Padulo, highlighted that 19 TCDSB students volunteered this year through the Treat Accessibly Youth Volunteer Program, each earning six community service hours while helping make their communities more inclusive and accessible.
Looking ahead: Next year’s Halloween falls on a Saturday, offering an even greater opportunity for students and families to get involved and help make trick-or-treating accessible for all.
To learn more about the Treat Accessibly initiative and how to get involved next year, visit the Treat Accessibly website.