According to Morgan Ryan, the president of the Disability Coalition, students with disabilities or chronic illnesses continue to face issues getting access to events, meetings or even classes at Drake University.
With the fall season just around the corner, Ryan introduced the idea of having a Halloween event focused on accessibility: “A Harkin Halloween.” DISCO partnered with The Harkin Institute, Unity Roundtable and occupational therapy students to design and host an accessible Halloween for members of the Des Moines community, as well as Drake students. The event ran from 4-7 p.m. on Oct. 30.
In October, an anonymous zine titled “Snapshots of Drake as an Ableist Campus” spread around campus, raising concerns about the realities of inaccessibility lived by students. In February 2025, students testified to the heightened challenges of winter inaccessibility on campus for wheelchair and mobility aid users.
“They preach accessibility a lot for Drake, and they always say they’re going to update buildings,” said Alyssa Galvez, equity and inclusion student senator. “I’ve been here basically for four years now, and I’ve still yet to see great accessibility on campus.”
Amid accessibility concerns, Ryan made it her goal to provide a Halloween experience with members of the disability community in mind. The Harkin Institute allowed easy access for wheelchair users, included a “cool down room” in case an attendee got overstimulated and provided activities with many disabilities in mind.
“A Harkin Halloween,” DISCO’s first accessible Halloween event, transformed the Harkin Institute’s building into a trick-or-treat hotspot. Office rooms acted as houses that invited kids to approach and grab a treat. The event provided options for candy to account for all children’s needs and allergies, with each bowl of candy clearly labeled with what it contained. There were even bowls containing sensory toys rather than candy for children on the autism spectrum or who couldn’t eat any of the options provided.
“I was talking to a mom the other day that said she doesn’t have to worry about what’s here. Her daughter can go straight up to the M&M [bowl] and know that it’s allergen-free,” said Mindy Jones, the operations director at The Harkin Institute. “It’s just kind of a safe space for trick or treating.”
The arts and crafts table turned out to be the main attraction for most of the children attending. Organizers put the table together with neurodivergent children and children who are blind in mind. Attendees had the option to make sensory bins with sand and puff balls. The crafts station also provided materials to make sensory bottles with water, food coloring, glue and a variety of spooky accessories. Blind children had the option of using coloring sheets with tactile borders so they knew where to color.
“There are certain limitations that come with having a chronic illness or a disability, and there are very few opportunities to have safe fun,” said Tori Zerkus, the UNITY Roundtable representative for DISCO. “It’s important to make sure that kids of all ages can have fun that’s safe and accessible and understanding.”
Ryan was a leading organizer behind much of the success and execution of the inclusive Halloween night.
“Morgan [Ryan] texted me about it at least once every day for the past four weeks,” Zerkus said. “There has been so much thought that went into this.”
Ryan is not only the president of DISCO, but one of the founders as well. She has also worked with The Harkin Institute throughout her time at Drake and has wanted to throw an event like “A Harkin Halloween” for a while. She did extensive research on what foods have allergens and what options were available to replace those items.
“It’s interesting to be doing something where there is no playbook,” Ryan said.
The event had about 50 attendees, which was around the number of people Ryan hoped to attract.
“If you impact a handful of people’s lives, if you make a handful of people feel seen and wanted in the community, which is what accessibility is, then it’s worth it,” said Ryan.
