How can Haunted Houses be more Accessible?

Most of the research and double-checking of some of my ideas are based on the presentation made by Chris Silvia and Glenn McKnight from Hauntcon 2012. Follow the link for access https://www.slideshare.net/gmcknight/making-your-haunt-accessible

(((((((((Keep wearing masks in public spaces!!!!)))))))))

Haunted houses, corn mazes, forest chases, and other spooky spirits that pop up in an abandoned mall, should and need to be enjoyed by everyone! It's a crime, really (actually), if permeant haunted houses are not wheelchair and walking-aid accessible. Or perhaps, be seedier, and get away with implementing even fewer ADA requirements if the haunted house is seasonal - very, very despicable. The excuse of not engaging with inclusive practices and infrastructure due to high expense is not only a false excuse, given the number of choices for building, as well as the option to plan to center and adapt walkways that could be used by both walking and non-walking people, funneling the funds in a way that prioritizes both inclusion and necessity, but it is also obviously more dangerous for everyone to have flimsy walls, cardboard exists, etc.

Applying safety for all disabled people is ensuring the safety of everyone! Yet, it is always treated that any added physical accommodations are frivolous, cosmetic whining, rather than essential safety precautions. It's like, hmmm I don't know, ableist mindsets are so rampant and persistent within society, that it could even destroy someone's harmless joy on their favorite holiday? For no other reason other than a lack of motivation to care and create the skills necessary to imagine accessible scares that could spook everyone? It's not okay, you crusty haunted house AirBnBer! You little seasonal Halloween-landlord-green-spaghetti-worm.

Let's never do this again! And by this, I mean ignore how inaccessible haunted houses, forests, farms, and mazes can be, and let's never settle for something that not everyone can enjoy. This doesn't necessarily mean that haunted houses have to go away, but rather use this as an opportunity to stretch our creative minds and listen deeply to the advice, concerns, and ideas that are very generously shared by disabled people. Learn from their daily experiences and exposures to improper and inaccessible building plans. How they navigate around them.

Just to start, these are just *some* possible ideas I had! As always, please tell me if I've greatly missed the mark, as well as your own thoughts on how we can improve our haunted houses for everyone! I'd love to hear them. Some of the specifics I focused on were being mindful of people's levels of fatigue, paths that don't continuously collect debris, re-imagining what a "house" in a haunted house attraction could look like, and temporary transportation options. There are, of course, so many more options; these are just my way of starting a conversation.

1. Does there really have to be people "chasing" you?

Look, a decorated forest is enough. Some of my most cherished scares were walking through a patch of trees in the day, anticipating turning the corner and seeing a shaking mannequin, and listening to a sequence of "haunted house" recorded sounds. Screams that would stay with me, even while leaving the green of the woods, and traveling to my car into the parking lot; the uncanny is amazing. Props and decorated sections of the woods can be artfully executed. However, if people insist on there being actors that chase people in and out of the woods, maybe the attraction can somehow find ways to provide symbolic communications (i.e. wristbands, necklaces, etc) that would people allow people access to "non-chasing" parts of the forest, but still getting to enjoy the scary sights with the option to sit or travel to different benches, and so on. Golf carts with designated drivers should be an option for anyone who still wants to be chased, but can not withstand long sequences of running or fast-walking. Imagine watching the scare actors, their arms clawing for you while jogging behind your cart - Sounds pretty fun to me!

2. Clean up your corn!

This one is easy; the winding paths inside a corn maze can and should be bolstered up with wide, wooden planks. Keeping the path clean, of course, would need to be constantly monitored by a group of paid volunteers, perhaps locals from the farming towns that usually provide the fields that are used for these mazes. Having people dedicated to keeping the path clean from corn and other debris, would stop any people who use a wheelchair or walking assistance device from having their maze and time obstructed. Continuing on the fun.

3. A house doesn't need to have intricate levels

Single-level houses. Rooms that are wide and square-like. Hallways that would allow multiple people through at once. These are easy ways of not even needing to necessarily "construct" anything; the accessibility is in the choice of the venue, babes! This then gives the opportunity to allocate some of the haunted house money to buying, borrowing, or transporting safe and wide ramps to the door. And must have multiple of them, since the house will have more than one exit! Absolutely no overhead or "flickering" lights, but again, bright blacklight neon. Assisting actors should usher each person into the room with a flashlight in order to stop any accidental tripping or overcrowding. Designated "scare spots" should be marked in the room, promising an unobstructed and safe spot to watch the actors.

4. Bring the scares to the hayride!

This one is probably my favorite option, due to the ~innovation~ and reconsideration of what actually makes a hayride a ride; it's not the hay, that's for sure. In fact, I would consider the fact that you're being pulled by a tractor, passing by large walls of hay, would be enough of a reason to call it a hayride, therefore getting to discard the itchy, uncomfortable, and unstable hay stacks used for "seating". What's especially nice about hayrides is that they not only can bring people to the haunts but can also invite a more theatrical experience. Actors, chasers, and prop masters would have nature as their stage. Groups of people, chasing the hayride with their chainsaws. Scenes of women, dressed in white gowns, creeping out from the corn; the possibilities could be endless. Yet, the traditions still lay unchallenged. The nostalgic fun is not questioned, feasting upon its own exclusivity. Remember, your Halloween celebration is only as great as your commitment to inviting and meeting guests at their basic needs.