Barbie To Add Extra Dolls With Disabilities

The enduring lineup of Barbie dolls is increasing to incorporate extra with disabilities.

Mattel stated this month that it’s releasing the primary Barbie doll with behind-the-ear listening to aids. The toymaker can be introducing a brand new doll with a prosthetic leg.

The choices are a part of the Fashionistas assortment, which incorporates over 175 appears that modify in pores and skin tone, eye shade, hair shade and texture, physique kind, incapacity and vogue, Mattel stated.

“Barbie wholeheartedly believes within the energy of illustration, and because the most various doll line available on the market, we’re dedicated to persevering with to introduce dolls that includes a spread of pores and skin tones, physique sorts and disabilities to replicate the range children see on the earth round them,” stated Lisa McKnight, government vp and international head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel. “It’s essential for teenagers to see themselves mirrored in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them to assist them perceive and rejoice the significance of inclusion.”

The Fashionistas line has included a Barbie that makes use of a wheelchair since 2019. On the time, Mattel stated the system was one of the requested options from shoppers.

The corporate indicated that it labored with Dr. Jen Richardson, an academic audiologist, to make sure correct illustration within the doll with behind-the-ear listening to aids.

Along with increasing the Barbie choices with disabilities, new Fashionistas this yr will characteristic smaller bust, curvy and authentic physique sorts and the model is including a Ken doll with vitiligo, a situation that causes patches of pores and skin to lose shade, in addition to choices with rooted quick hair and a slender physique kind.

The brand new Barbie Fashionista dolls at the moment are obtainable in any respect main retailers.