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| Barbie with Down's syndrome on sale after 'real women' criticism | Barbie with Down's syndrome on sale after 'real women' criticism |
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| British model Ellie Goldstein said she felt "overwhelmed" when she saw the new Barbie | British model Ellie Goldstein said she felt "overwhelmed" when she saw the new Barbie |
| A Barbie with Down's syndrome is the latest doll to be released by Mattel in a bid to make its range more diverse. | A Barbie with Down's syndrome is the latest doll to be released by Mattel in a bid to make its range more diverse. |
| The US toy giant had faced previous criticism that the traditional Barbie did not represent real women. | |
| In recent years it has created dolls with a hearing aid, a prosthetic limb and a wheelchair. | In recent years it has created dolls with a hearing aid, a prosthetic limb and a wheelchair. |
| Mattel's goal was for "all children to see themselves in Barbie" as well as "play with dolls who do not look like themselves". | Mattel's goal was for "all children to see themselves in Barbie" as well as "play with dolls who do not look like themselves". |
| The original Barbie doll launched in 1959 featured long legs, a tiny waist, and flowing blonde locks. | |
| Academics from the University of South Australia suggested the likelihood of a woman having Barbie's body shape was one in 100,000. | |
| Some campaigners called for Barbie to represent a more realistic body image, while some people with disabilities said the dolls were not relatable. | |
| In 2016 Mattel released Curvy Barbie, Tall Barbie and Petite Barbie, as well as a wide range of skin tones reflecting many different ethnicities. | |
| Lisa McKnight, global head of Barbie & Dolls at Mattel said she hoped the new doll would help "teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world." | |
| 'Inclusive Barbies are a major step in my life' | 'Inclusive Barbies are a major step in my life' |
| Mattel said it worked closely with the US National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to ensure its latest doll accurately represented a person with Down's syndrome. | |
| The doll has a shorter frame and a longer torso and its face is rounder with smaller ears, a flat nasal bridge and almond-shaped eyes which can all be characteristics of women who have the genetic condition. | The doll has a shorter frame and a longer torso and its face is rounder with smaller ears, a flat nasal bridge and almond-shaped eyes which can all be characteristics of women who have the genetic condition. |
| The puff-sleeved dress is yellow and blue, colours associated with Down's syndrome awareness. | The puff-sleeved dress is yellow and blue, colours associated with Down's syndrome awareness. |
| The doll also has a pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome, the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down's syndrome. | The doll also has a pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome, the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down's syndrome. |
| It also wears pink ankle foot orthotics to match its outfit as some children with Down's syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles. | It also wears pink ankle foot orthotics to match its outfit as some children with Down's syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles. |
| 'Huge step forward' | 'Huge step forward' |
| NDSS president and CEO Kandi Pickard said it was an honour to work on the project. | NDSS president and CEO Kandi Pickard said it was an honour to work on the project. |
| "This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. | "This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. |
| "We should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating." | "We should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating." |
| British model Ellie Goldstein, an advocate for inclusion, visibility and understanding of people with Down's syndrome, said she felt "overwhelmed" when she saw the doll. | British model Ellie Goldstein, an advocate for inclusion, visibility and understanding of people with Down's syndrome, said she felt "overwhelmed" when she saw the doll. |
| "Diversity is important...as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away," she added. | "Diversity is important...as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away," she added. |
| Other toy firms have made similar moves to try and make their models more inclusive. | Other toy firms have made similar moves to try and make their models more inclusive. |
| In 2016, Lego created its first young disabled mini-figure - a young, beanie-hat wearing wheelchair user - following a campaign by the UK-based #ToyLikeMe group. | In 2016, Lego created its first young disabled mini-figure - a young, beanie-hat wearing wheelchair user - following a campaign by the UK-based #ToyLikeMe group. |
| The group had criticised the Danish firm for "pandering to disability stereotypes" because until then its only character to use a wheelchair was an elderly man. | The group had criticised the Danish firm for "pandering to disability stereotypes" because until then its only character to use a wheelchair was an elderly man. |
| The campaign was launched to create more toys to represent the 770,000 disabled children in the UK. | The campaign was launched to create more toys to represent the 770,000 disabled children in the UK. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Down's syndrome | Down's syndrome |
| Lego | Lego |