MATTEL INTRODUCES INCLUSIVE NEW BARBIE DOLL LINE FOCUSING ON DISABILITY REPRESENTATION

Barbie's parent company Mattel announces upcoming additions to Barbie's Fashion Doll line will focus on disability representation and diversity inclusion, featuring a Barbie with a behind-the-ear hearing aid, a Barbie with a prosthetic leg, and a Ken doll with vitiligo.

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."

Lisa McKnight, EVP, Global Head of Barbie and Dolls Portfolio at Mattel, says “Our Barbie Fashionistas line features a range of skin tones, body types and disabilities to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them. Knowing that kids’ early childhood experiences help shape how they perceive the world, we are dedicated to reflecting a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion in our dolls.”

SMALL WORLD: Barbie Fashionistas line features the diversity kids see in the world around them.

Initial consumer response appears to be overwhelmingly positive. One social media respondent, for example, said: "As someone who grew up with Barbie being her favorite toy, collects Barbie as an adult, and has worn a hearing aid since the age of five – Thank You! This brought tears to my eyes."

This isn't the first time Barbie's parent company, Mattel, engaged the disability community with an inclusive product. In 2020, Mattel introduced a Barbie wheelchair user. This may be the first time, however, that the toymaker worked with medical professionals to ensure accurate representation. Dr. Jen Richardson, an audiology expert and hearing loss advocate, consulted on the inclusive design.

“I’m honored to have worked with Barbie to create an accurate reflection of a doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids. As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiring to see those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll,” Richardson said. “I’m beyond thrilled for my young patients to see and play with a doll who looks like them.”