Vaughan welcomes accessible trick-or-treating for all

Oct. 6, 2021 10:00 a.m.
City supports Treat Accessibly initiative to make Halloween more inclusive  
 
The City of Vaughan is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can thrive – including on Halloween. As a reflection of this commitment to advancing accessibility, Vaughan Council recently endorsed the Treat Accessibly initiative making the City the first municipality in Canada to do so.
 
During the Sept. 28 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting, Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson introduced members to Treat Accessibly, a grassroots movement started in 2017 by the Padulo family to make Halloween trick-or-treating more accessible and inclusive for all families. At the Oct. 5 Committee of the Whole (1) meeting, Local and Regional Councillor Jackson brought forward a Member’s Resolution supporting the Treat Accessibly initiative, which was approved by Council. The Member’s Resolution will be formally ratified at a meeting of Council on Oct. 20.
 
According to the Treat Accessibly website, approximately 400,000 children in Canada identify with having a disability that may prevent them from trick-or-treating because of something as simple as stairs. Treat Accessibly outlines the following ways households in Vaughan, and in communities throughout North America, can distribute Halloween goodies in a safe and accessible way:
  • Download a free accessible trick-or-treating sign to place in your window.
  • Create a trick-or-treating station at the end of your driveway.
  • Make sure the path to your trick-or-treating area is well lit and clear of any hazards.
  • Refrain from using strobe lights and high-pitched, sudden loud noises.
  • Ensure pets are kept safely away from the front of your house.
 
When taking your family trick-or-treating this year, remember to remain vigilant. Adhere to all COVID-19 health and safety protocols – including wearing a mask and practising physical distancing from others.
 
The Treat Accessibly initiative is consistent with  the City’s mission to foster a barrier-free community and the goal to create a completely accessible city by 2025.
 
In addition, the following City-led accessibility and diversity initiatives are currently in place.
 
2019-2022 Multi-year Accessibility Plan
In February 2021, Vaughan Council approved the City’s 2019-2022 Multi-year Accessibility Plan, which identifies how the City will create a barrier-free community with universal access to its programs, services and facilities. This plan will help ensure people of any age and ability are treated in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. It does this by outlining the various activities and initiatives the City will undertake to support accessibility, including implementing new programs and services, creating accessible play spaces, using accessible technology, implementing accessible employment practices and achieving additional Rick Hansen Gold Accessibility Certifications.
 
Rick Hansen Foundation Gold Certification
In recognition of the City’s accessibility efforts, the Rick Hansen Foundation has awarded 17 City facilities with a certification for accessibility – of this total, nine have achieved Gold Certification, the foundation’s highest honour. They include Vaughan City Hall, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service firehalls 7-4 and 7-10, Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library, and the North Thornhill Community Centre and Pleasant Ridge Library as a combined facility. Various accessibility enhancements, such as automatic door openers, tactile walking surface indicators at stair areas and accessible seating, have been installed in City facilities, which have contributed to reaching this milestone.
 
Other awards the City has received for its accessibility efforts include the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association Accessibility Award and the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility.
 
Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Vaughan Accessibility Advisory Committee was established to help guide the City’s efforts to remove and prevent barriers in policies, practices, programs and services to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The committee assisted in creating Vaughan’s Accessibility Plan and continues to help identify accessibility opportunities and challenges within the community. All committee meetings are posted to the City’s meeting calendar at vaughan.ca.  
 
Accessibility Champions Awards
Established in 2019 by the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Accessibility Champions Awards recognize individuals and businesses that foster inclusivity and advance accessibility throughout the city. Vaughan Accessibility Champions can be nominated in four categories – as an individual, a small business with fewer than 20 employees, a medium or large business with 20 or more employees or an individual with a disability. In 2020, the City presented this award to four deserving individuals and businesses who advocate for accessibility and inclusion and provide goods or services to people with disabilities within the Vaughan community. Planning is currently underway for the 2021 awards. 
 
Inclusive Design Standards
Created in consultation with the City’s Accessibility and Diversity Co-ordinator and Facilities Management department, the Inclusive Design Standards allow the City to advocate for any new development in the community to be inclusive and accessible for all. These standards highlight the City’s commitment to market leadership from an inclusive design perspective. The City’s standards go above and beyond the legislative requirements included in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario Building Code. The City’s Inclusive Design Standards outline examples and best practices to make buildings and other areas, like play spaces, washrooms, trails, service counters, office environments and places of worship, as inclusive as possible.
 
QUOTES
“The City of Vaughan remains focused on creating an equitable, inclusive and welcoming city where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can thrive. That is because we firmly believe that everyone should have equal access to opportunities and be empowered to reach their full potential. I want to thank Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson for introducing the Treat Accessibly initiative to Vaughan Council. By supporting this wonderful movement, we can continue fostering an inclusive and accessible community for all. As citizens prepare for trick-or-treating this Halloween, I want to remind everyone to remain vigilant, wear a face mask and practise physical distancing. Our fight against COVID-19 is not over, and we all share the responsibility of reducing the spread of this virus. If we each take small steps to remove barriers and advance accessibility, together, we’ll continue moving our city forward without leaving anyone behind.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
"I was pleased to bring forward a Member's Resolution in support of the Treat Accessibly initiative led by the Padulo family. With a clear mission to make Halloween more safe and inclusive for all families, this movement aligns with the City of Vaughan's accessibility priorities. I want to thank my Council colleagues for their unanimous support of my motion and the Padulo family for being strong accessibility champions. In Vaughan, we are working to ensure equitable access for residents and visitors with disabilities through Vaughan's Accessibility Advisory Committee. Our team of dedicated individuals works tirelessly to support the City's efforts to identify and remove barriers in all aspects of civic life. As Chair, I am honoured to work with people who are passionate about accessibility and can help us achieve our goal of becoming a completely accessible community by 2025. I encourage all citizens to download a free accessible trick-or-treating sign to place in their window this year. Together, we can pave the way to an accessible future and ensure everyone has fun this Halloween."
- Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson
 
"Our family started Treat Accessibly to help one child safely trick-or-treat at our home because we have stairs out front and he uses a wheelchair. By 2020, nearly 40,000 homes were having a Treat Accessibly Halloween and this year, we hope to see that number increase to more than 100,000 participants. With the support of communities across Canada, our mission to make Halloween accessible has become a national movement. I want to extend my appreciation to Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson for championing our initiative in Vaughan and all Members of Council for their unwavering support. Thank you to everyone for Treating Accessibly. Have a safe and happy Halloween everyBODY!”
- Rich Padulo, Founder, Treat Accessibly
 
QUICK FACTS
  • During the Sept. 28, 2021 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson introduced Treat Accessibly. A Member’s Resolution was also drafted for the City of Vaughan to adopt.
  • Vaughan Council is the first municipality in Canada to officially proclaim the Treat Accessibly initiative.
  • Treat Accessibly is a grassroots movement started in 2017 by the Padulo family to make Halloween trick-or-treating accessible and inclusive for all families.
  • Treat Accessibly recommends several ways households can distribute items in a safe and accessible way, including downloading a free accessible trick-or-treating sign to place in your window or by creating a trick-or-treating station at the end of your driveway.
  • When participating in Halloween festivities, remember to remain vigilant. Citizens must continue to follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols, such as wearing a mask and physical distancing.
  • The City’s goal is to create an accessible community by 2025.
 
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