In a heartwarming initiative, a Kansas City company and a local nonprofit have joined forces to create adaptive Halloween costumes for children with disabilities. This collaboration aims to ensure that every child can enjoy the magic of Halloween, regardless of their mobility challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration: Automatic Systems, Inc. partners with Walkin’ and Rollin’ Costumes.
- Inclusive Designs: Custom costumes designed for children with mobility issues.
- Community Impact: Aimed at making Halloween accessible for all kids.
The Initiative
Automatic Systems, Inc. (ASI) and the ASI Foundation are known for their engineering and fabrication capabilities. This year, they have taken a significant step towards inclusivity by partnering with Walkin’ and Rollin’ Costumes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing adaptive costumes for children with disabilities.
Erika Jump from ASI stated, "We partner with different charities across Kansas City every single year. Somebody actually brought this charity to our foundation, and we thought it was a great idea."
A Special Surprise
One of the standout moments of this initiative was the surprise reveal of a custom Bluey costume for Sarah, a young girl who uses a wheelchair. Bluey, the Australian Blue Heeler, is her favorite character, and the costume was designed to fit her wheelchair perfectly.
Sarah’s mother, Katie Antoniotti, expressed her amazement at the effort put into the costume, saying, "Just mind-blowing. I didn’t even know what to expect. I didn’t expect this. It’s pretty amazing."
The Process
The foundation utilized its resources, including a water jet cutter, to bring these creative designs to life. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Design Phase: The engineering team conceptualizes the costume designs.
- Fabrication: Using advanced tools, they cut the pieces out of plastic.
- Assembly: The pieces are assembled, and fine details are added to complete the costumes.
Future Plans
The ASI Foundation is committed to continuing this initiative in the coming years. They hope to partner with Walkin’ and Rollin’ annually to ensure that more children can experience the joy of dressing up for Halloween.
This collaboration not only highlights the importance of inclusivity but also showcases how community resources can be utilized to make a significant impact in the lives of children with disabilities. As Halloween approaches, the excitement builds for these children, knowing that they too can partake in the festivities with costumes designed just for them.
Sources
- Kansas City company, nonprofit creating adaptive Halloween costumes, KMBC.
- Kansas City company, nonprofit creating adaptive Halloween costumes for kids, MSN.
