The new Barbie collection showcases four new diverse toys: a Barbie doll with dual hearing aids, a Ken doll with vitiligo, a Barbie with a prosthetic limb, and a Barbie doll in a wheelchair.
“It’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion,”
– Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls
Mattel also consulted experts in the design and curation of each doll to ensure accurate representation.
Barbie shared via the social platform that upcoming additions to Barbie’s Fashion Doll line will focus on disability representation and diversity inclusion. This includes a Barbie with a behind-the-ear hearing aid and a Barbie with a prosthetic leg; plus, a Ken doll with vitiligo, a condition where the skin loses pigmentation and appears blotchy.
The line will also integrate other aspects of inclusion, such as various body types and hair textures. In fact, a company statement described the upcoming line as its “most diverse and inclusive doll line.”