Toymaker Mattel has unveiled its first Down syndrome Barbie, in a bid to make its famous range of dolls more inclusive.
In a statement released Tuesday, Mattel said it had worked with the National Down Syndrome Society of the United States to make the doll, which has a shorter frame and longer torso than its other Barbies.
The new doll’s face is also more rounded in shape, and has almond-shaped eyes, smaller ears and a flat nose bridge, Mattel said.
“The palms of the wrist even include a single line, a feature often associated with people with Down syndrome,” Mattel said.
The doll wears a puff-sleeved dress embellished with yellow and blue butterflies and flowers, colors associated with Down syndrome.
She is wearing a pink necklace with three upturned chevrons representing the three copies of chromosome 21, as well as pink ankle braces, according to Mattel.
“Our goal is for all children to see themselves in Barbie while encouraging them to play with dolls that don’t look like them,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel.
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