SYLVANIA, Ohio — It's spooky season and haunted attractions are ready for the last rush of thrill seekers. But, a one-night-only haunted trail in Sylvania changed things up to make the experience more inclusive for people of all abilities.
The Trail of Terror, organized by the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, had all-inclusive scares Friday night to set its haunt apart from others.
"Different haunted trails or haunted houses aren't accessible because they'll either have stairs or a non-paved road that's really hard for someone that's a wheelchair user," Jordan Slutsky, teen services coordinator for the Ability Center, said. "We are also not using any strobe lights, so it's great for anyone that has epilepsy or is prone to seizures."
Important for any haunted attraction, the scares were still the same, too.
"We have about nine or ten scarers that'll be there jumping out, getting their makeup done and providing a real scary time," Slutsky said.
She also hopes other haunted trials and houses will follow suit and make their experiences more accessible.
"(Hope they) like what we're doing and maybe try to include some more sensory free and accessories in their own haunted trails," Slutsky said.
Michael Thomas, who checked out the trail, said he was glad that everyone could join in on the fun and fear.
"Not only do we get to go through it because we can walk, but other people that have disabilities, they can see it for themselves, too," Thomas said.
People were also offered noise-reduction headphones to make the event more comfortable.
This was the first time the Ability Center held the event and organizers say they hope to bring it back next year, too.