RICHLAND, Wash. – Halloween is full of candy, costumes, pumpkin carving and other activities. Those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities find trick-or-treating challenging.
The Arc of Tri-Cities hosted a unique Halloween party for its participants. Arc of Tri-Cities staff spent all of October decorating its building. According to the Executive Director Cindy O’Neill.
O’Neill said the Arc of Tri-Cities has been around since the 1950s and was started by parents. They currently have participants ranging from two years old to 83 years old.
O’Neill said that accessibility is everything so everyone can fully participate in every activity.
Along with O’Neill, Jodie Wilson, the Adult Day Program Manager said the purpose of the decoration is with the purpose of accessibility in mind.
“Everyone should have access to do everything,” said O’Neill. “We have trick or treating a couple times a day. Everybody comes out of their offices and the participants come by and trick or treat because everyone should have that opportunity.”
The building was not only decorated to the nines for Halloween but, there were activities such as pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, and costume contests.
“I am vengeance, I am Batman!,” said Christopher.
“I got a lot of different costumes”, said Jodie. “I thought I’d be a cook today.”
Two participants, Christopher and Jodie couldn’t wait to show off their costumes. They’ve been coming to this party for over 20 years and say it keeps getting better every year. They say they can’t wait for next year’s party.
Both O’Neill and Wilson said a lot of their participants don’t go out because they’re adults and there’s really no place for them to go and trick or treat. Their advice for those who are out trick or treating with intellectual and developmental disabilities is to know the area.
“Know where you’re going and be proactive at navigating some of those decisions of where you’d like to try to approach, said O’Neill. “They still like to have fun,” said Wilson. “If you see an adult coming to your door, you never know what their story is.”
Both O’Neill and Wilson want you to remember Halloween is fun and to stay safe.
“Halloween is for everybody,” they said. “You just have to keep it going right? Even for the 83-year-olds. Still Halloween, still want that candy and the costume and some fun.”
