Mobility becomes more popular in society as new Barbie range gets wheelchair accessory and prosthetic limb
Providing a more inclusive approach to children’s toys, the Barbie Fashionistas range will see a doll with a wheelchair accessory and a doll with a prosthetic limb join the line in June 2019.
Designed to reflect a variety of appearances and identities, the Barbie Fashionistas line represents over 100 different looks.
Mattel, the toy manufacturer behind Barbie, as well as other popular toys such as Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket and Disney Toy Story, has revealed that the new dolls will reflect differing levels of mobility as well as disability with the prosthetic limb and wheelchair. The company will also sell a wheelchair ramp.
In addition, new dolls to the range will showcase different body types and hair textures.
Mattel said in a statement: “As a brand, we can elevate the conversation around physical disabilities by including them into our fashion doll line to further showcase a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion.”
The toy company designed the wheelchair accessory as a result of customer feedback requesting for the mobility aid to be included.
Mattel worked with UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and wheelchair experts to ensure the toy wheelchair was an accurate replica of real wheelchairs. The wheelchair can be paired with any of the dolls from the Made to Move Barbie line.
The doll with a removable prosthetic limb came from a collaboration between Mattel and 13-year-old Jordan Reeves, Founder of the non-profit organisation Born Just Right, which aims to design creative solutions for children “born with differences” to lead a more enjoyable life.
