Mattel has unveiled the first-ever Barbie with Down's Syndrome which will help more children find a toy that represents them. The toy company partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the United States to create the product - their first with an intellectual disability. Mattel worked with NDSS to ensure the new Barbie accurately symbolized those with Down's Syndrome, such as giving the doll's body a shorter frame and longer torso. The new product also has other physical details associated with those who have an extra chromosome including a single line running across the palms. Check out the first-ever Barbie with Down’s Syndrome below:  [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrdcVLnpqzW/]] Guided by the organization, the doll's pink pendant necklace has three upward chevrons that illustrate the three copies of the 21st chromosome - the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with the condition. In addition to this, Barbie's dress pattern has butterflies and yellow and blue colors - emblems associated with Down's Syndrome awareness. She will also sport pink ankle foot orthotics often used by kids. The creation was praised by charities such as Carol Boys, chief executive of the UK Down’s Syndrome Association, who remarked: "Children in our community will be able to play with a doll that represents them," as cited by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/25/barbie-doll-with-downs-syndrome-launched-by-mattel">The Guardian</a>. Ellie Goldstein, a 21-year-old British model with Down’s syndrome who appeared in a campaign with the new Barbie, applauded the product and said that she was "so happy" to see the new doll. "Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed - it meant a lot to me and I'm so honored and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world," she continued, per <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/barbie-unveils-first-ever-doll-29805014">The Mirror</a>. "Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away." [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CrdccoXtxet/]] According to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/25/mattel-barbie-fashionistas-doll-down-syndrome-inclusivity/#:~:text=Mattel%20has%20released%20the%20first,doll%20line%20on%20the%20market%E2%80%9D.">The Telegraph</a>, Lisa McKnight, executive vice president of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel also spoke about the significance of Mattel's latest doll for children and said: "As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play." "Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves," she went on. "Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world." "We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play," Knight concluded. The new Barbie will go on pre-order from April 25 from the toy store Smyths. It will be part of the Barbie Fashionistas line, which was launched in 2022. <h6>Featured image credit: Ekaterina Kupeeva / Alamy</h6>

Mattel releases its first Barbie with Down's syndrome

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