Barbie Released Its First Doll With Down Syndrome & People Think 'She's So Well Done'

Barbie, the iconic doll brand from Mattel, has released its first-ever doll with Down syndrome, marking a significant milestone for the company's ongoing efforts towards inclusivity.

Barbie is advertising the doll as “the most diverse doll on the market,” and people have a lot to say about the latest addition to the famous toy line.

The doll was designed in close collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to ensure accurate representation, according to Mattel. That meant including several little touches such as a blue and yellow dress with butterflies on it, in a nod to the Down syndrome awareness colours, the toymaker says. The doll's necklace features three chevrons or arrows that "are meant to represent 'the lucky few' who have someone with Down syndrome in their life," Mattel says.

The Barbie's designers also gave her orthotics because "some children with Down syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles," Mattel said.

Since announcing the release of the new Barbie, people have been reacting online, and many are thrilled about the release.

A commenter under Barbie’s most recent post on Instagram wrote, “This brought tears to my eyes. So many little girls with Down syndrome, their smiles are a little bit brighter today! How inspiring.”

“As a special education teacher this is so heartwarming to FINALLY see,” wrote another commenter. “It means a lot for children to see themselves represented in their toys.”

"With a shorter frame, rounder face, smaller features, and palms including a single line, this doll introduces a new sculpt and details illustrative of common characteristics of women with Down syndrome," reads the caption of the Barbie Instagram post.

A commenter under Barbie’s new promotional video on YouTube was appreciative of the representation: “This is such a beautiful signal to everyone in the world and especially for the kids who suffer from Down syndrome," they wrote. "I support this.”

A Twitter user called the Barbie "so well done."

"This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation," Kandi Pickard, president and CEO of the NDSS, said in a statement. "It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”

Barbies come in many diverse forms, featuring dolls that are hairless, have vitiligo, darker skin tones, and prosthetic limbs, said Mattel in their statement.

According to the CDC, about 6,000 babies born in the United States each year have Down syndrome, which means roughly 1 in every 700 babies born in the country has the chromosomal condition.

By introducing a doll with Down syndrome, Barbie aims to teach children empathy and understanding, encouraging them to play with dolls that don't look like themselves, Mattel says.

“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," Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls Lisa McKnight said in a statement released by Mattel. "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."

The design process for the new doll involved collaboration between the company, NDSS, as well as Charlotte Woodward and Kayla McKeon, two women with Down syndrome who provided guidance on the doll's style and design, as reported by CBS News.

"We hope that this will open conversations about Down syndrome and how wonderful this community is," said Michelle Sagan of the National Down Syndrome Society to CBS News. "This is important not just for people with Down syndrome and their families, but also every individual out there who wants to play with dolls – whether they have a disability or not.”

The release comes a few months ahead of the first Barbie feature film, which is slated to drop in July. That movie has also been embracing different versions of Barbie, with multiple "Barbie" characters in the film and a social media campaign that pushes others to see themselves as Barbie (or Ken).

The Barbie movie stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu and is due out July 21.