For the fourth time, a Barrie law firm is giving children with disabilities an opportunity to celebrate Halloween their own way.
Oatley Vigmond will once again host Barrie’s Accessible Halloween Village on Sunday afternoon, aiming to create a safe and welcoming Halloween experience for families and children with extra accessibility needs.
The free outdoor event will take place at its Ferris Lane location, with more than 40 local businesses contributing decorated stations, activities, entertainment and treats for attendees. It begins at 2:30 p.m.
“Every child should have the opportunity to experience the excitement of Halloween,” Karen Vigmond, a partner at Oatley Vigmond, said in a news release. “This event is about removing barriers and creating a space where children can simply be kids, have fun, collect some treats, and feel part of the community.”
More than 250 children attended last year’s event, the firm says. Anyone attending on Sunday must pre-register so organizers can plan for participating families and their individual accessibility needs.
Sunday's event is formatted as a curbside Halloween circuit, acting as an alternative to navigating traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating, which can prove difficult for some with mobility restrictions. Families will be able to move from station to station at their own pace while children collect treats and participate in other activities.
"For children with physical, sensory, or other disabilities, the typical Halloween experience can be challenging," the firm wrote in a news release. "From navigating uneven sidewalks and stairs to managing crowds, noise, lighting, or unfamiliar environments."
The City of Barrie, in its multi-year accessibility plan, estimates that nearly 42,000 people of all ages in the city live with one or more disabilities.
Oatley Vigmont says the event was inspired by Treat Accessibly, a grassroots Canadian movement launched in 2017 to promote more inclusive Halloween experiences for children with disabilities and their families.
The organization has put together and supported similar villages across the country, including at multiple locations in Ontario.
