While it may seem like Inclusion isn’t something many people have to think about, according to the United States Census as of 2019, over 3 million people under the age of 18 have a diagnosed disability. That is 4.3% of children. While 4.3% may not seem like a large percentage, that 4.3% of children deserve to feel safe and included while celebrating.

Celebrations such as Halloween can create stress for the parents and guardians of disabled children. It also raises so many unanswered questions such as: “is it safe?”, “Will my child enjoy themselves?” and “Will people be accommodating?”. All of these unknowns can ultimately lead a family to opt out of the celebrations. By implementing these 3 inclusive concepts we can help make Halloween accessible and stress free.

The first way you can promote inclusion this halloween is by offering non edible treat options like pencils, stickers, stamps, bracelets and other small trinkets. While these may seem lame to the average child, a child with food allergies or a diagnosis such as ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder) may appreciate them.

The second way you can promote inclusion is by sitting at the front of your driveway, especially if you have a long driveway, or stairs leading up to your home. That way children with wheelchairs, other mobility aids and/or trouble walking don’t have to struggle in order to participate in the fun.

The final way you can promote inclusion is by not mandating that a child says “trick or treat” in order to receive their treat, as some children may be non-verbal, have selective mutism or just be shy. These 3 ways of inclusion will help for all children to feel included this Halloween!