Making Halloween Accessible for Everyone: How Communities & Technology Are Lighting the Way
- Laila Burns
- Oct 31, 2025
- 4 min read
By The Sielo Robotics Team
Halloween is a night filled with excitement — vibrant costumes, creative decorations, and the timeless joy of knocking on doors and filling a bucket with candy. But for many people who use mobility devices such as wheelchairs or walkers, that tradition can turn into something far less magical. Stairs, narrow pathways, rough terrain, and dim lighting can make trick-or-treating difficult — or even impossible.
At Sielo Robotics, we believe independence shouldn’t take the night off. Accessibility matters every day of the year… including October 31st.
The Secret Spookiness : Hidden Barriers on Halloween
Most houses aren’t built with accessibility in mind — and even small obstacles can become major barriers :
Front steps with no ramp
Decorations blocking pathways
Candy bowls placed too high
Lack of clear, safe spaces for mobility devices
These may seem like minor inconveniences, but they can make trick-or-treating stressful instead of fun. No child (or adult!) should feel left out of the excitement.
The Treat Accessibly Movement : A Conversation with Rich Padulo
Accessibility isn't complicated - it's compassionate.
We had the privilege of speaking with Rich Padulo, a passionate advocate for accessible trick-or-treating and a driving force within the Treat Accessibly movement.
His story began with one powerful moment in 2017:
“My daughter and I were putting pumpkins on the stairs to our front door — and she looked up and saw a little boy in a wheelchair. She asked me, ‘How does he trick-or-treat at our house?’”
That simple, heartfelt question from a child sparked a nationwide movement.
Rich and his family made a sign — nearly identical to the recognizable orange one seen today — and placed it in their yard. That Halloween, they moved their candy station to the driveway.
Seven families with mobility, sensory, and neurological disabilities visited that night.
“They told us they had never seen anything like it. That moment changed everything.”
From One Sign to a Country-Wide Movement
Today, Treat Accessibly has…
250,000+ lawn signs across Canada
A goal of 1 million by 2030
Fully accessible “Halloween Villages” hosted in 9 major cities
Streets shut down to vehicles
40–50 driveway candy stations
Thousands of kids experiencing a “full grandeur” Halloween for the first time
Rich shared just a few moments that keep him going:
“A mother told me her son was 18 and had never been able to go trick-or-treating — until our first village.”
That story alone convinced a major partner to help bring the villages to more cities the following year.
And then there was Calgary:
“A big dad chased me down, and I was honestly intimidated. Then he hugged me, crying. His daughter had never spoken to anyone outside their home — until she said ‘trick or treat’ to one of our volunteers.”
There moments are the beating heart of Treat Accessibly.
“Why do we do this? Because every child deserves to feel included — even for one night. And that can change how they feel every day after.”
Movement Fueled by Community — Not Funding
Treat Accessibly is not a charity or nonprofit. There are:
No donations accepted
Private funding only
Partnerships to distribute signs FREE
What slows them down isn’t passion — it’s printing capacity. They have the momentum. They need amplification.
“We want to change the world for a night — and hopefully change every day after.”
The Shared Mission: Independence + Inclusion
When Rich learned that our team at Sielo Robotics is building assistive robotic arms for mobility-device users — affordably and accessibly — he reminded us of something important:
“Don’t let the apathy of others get in the way of your care. Look for the helpers. You are helpers.”
We are united by the same vision: A world where accessibility is the default, not the exception. Robotics is our tool. Halloween is his spark. Inclusion is our shared destination.
This Halloween, Be the Change You Wish to See in the World
You can support the mission today:
Download or request an accessible-treat sign: https://www.treataccessibly.com
Learn how assistive robotics empower independence beyond one night: https://www.sielorobotics.com
Together, we can make the magic of Halloween — and everyday life — accessible for everyone. Because joy should have no barriers.
How You Can Create an Accessible Halloween
Place candy tables at ground level
Light pathways clearly
Keep driveways and walkways obstacle-free
Display an accessibility sign — like Treat Accessibly’s free lawn sign
Spread the word to neighbours and friends
The more inclusive Halloween becomes, the brighter it shines.
“If we can change the world for a night, maybe we can change it for a lifetime.”
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