Happy fall, y’all! Sweater weather is here, leaves are crunching under our wheels and feet, and pumpkins, costumes, and candy are back in season. Of course, making the most of fall can take a little creativity and planning when you’re accommodating a range of needs.
Few things say Halloween like a jack-o’-lantern glowing on the porch or peeking from a window. And pumpkin decorating can be adapted for different strength, dexterity, and sensory needs. According to MobilityWorks, tools with large handles or nonslip grips can make carving easier, while powered knives offer steady pressure for anyone who finds that difficult to maintain. Not into carving? No problem. Real or foam pumpkins can be painted, stenciled, covered in stickers, or dressed up with push-in decorations such as googly eyes and foam shapes for a fun 3D effect. Finish the look with a battery-powered tea light, a safer alternative to a candle.
One of the best parts of Halloween is getting to become someone—or something—completely different for a day. Costume shopping used to be difficult at best, but today retailers from Amazon to Target offer inclusive and adaptive options, from princesses to Pikachu. So, what makes a costume adaptive? According to Custom Dance Costume, adaptive design doesn’t assume one body type or range of motion. Instead, it makes room for different movements, postures, and sensory needs. Wheelchair-friendly costumes are designed for seated wear, often with longer front hems and reinforced seats. Other helpful details include soft, seamless, tag-free fabrics; magnetic or Velcro closures; and fasteners that are easier to manage. Many options also accommodate limb differences, ports, GI tubes, and a wide range of sizes.
And how do you complete the transformation? With makeup, of course. Licensed aesthetician Stephanie Debes, a wheelchair user and founder of the Staten Island -based nonprofit Makeup on Wheels, loves how makeup lets people express themselves: “It’s all about creating art that’s formed to you and what you want to create.”
Debes applies makeup with her right hand and two fingers on her left hand, which she calls her “Lucky Fin.” She looks for products that work with her functionality, including liquid foundations with push buttons, pop-up dispensers, or easy-to-squeeze packaging; lipsticks with magnetic caps; and blush brushes with thicker, easier-to-grip handles. Two essentials in her kit are a versatile blending brush—her “best friend” brush—for foundation, blush, bronzer, or highlighter, and palettes that keep her products together.
For Halloween, she recommends thinking beyond a product’s usual purpose. Eyeshadow, for example, can move from lids to cheeks or lips for a ghostly, otherworldly effect. There’s no single adaptive technique that works for every kind of functionality, so start by trying different tools and products to discover what feels comfortable in your hand and on your face.
If a scenic hayride and a picture-perfect pumpkin sound like your kind of autumn outing, Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey, offers ADA-compliant hay wagon rides every weekend from late May through October. The wagon accommodates two wheelchair users, with extra seating for family and friends, and some rides include audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired guests. Even better, it follows the same scenic route as the farm’s regular rides and provides access to all pick-your-own activities. Planning a weekday visit? Call 908-528-8823 at least 48 hours ahead to arrange a ride.
There’s no one right way to celebrate Halloween. If getting to the front door to hand out candy or allergy-friendly treats isn’t practical, set up a table in the driveway and enjoy the parade of trick-or-treaters from there. Want to collect treats but skip the stairs, long walkways, or extra energy demands? A trunk-or-treat can be a great option; these events are usually held in parking lots, with fewer physical barriers between stops. And if a cozy night in sounds better, invite a few friends over, grab the snacks, and a playlist of festive films including classics such as Young Frankenstein, Hot Fuzz, or, naturally, Halloween.