A new Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome is set to be released later this year.
The company behind Barbie, Mattel, have announced that the Barbie will be available later this year. Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel said “We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play”.
In making the doll, Mattel partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society. The Barbie with Down’s syndrome wears a necklace with three chevrons representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome, the genetic variation that causes Down’s syndrome. The Barbie also wears a blue and yellow dress decorated with butterflies, the colours and symbols of Down’s syndrome awareness.
