As It Happens
Kayla McKeon says seeing a Barbie that looks like her is an incredible feeling.
Kayla McKeon of the National Down Syndrome Society helped Mattel ‘get the characteristics down to a T’
Sheena Goodyear · CBC Radio
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As It Happens5:48Barbie with Down syndrome 'looks just like me,' says woman who helped design it
Kayla McKeon says seeing a Barbie that looks like her is an incredible feeling.
Earlier this week, Mattel unveiled its first Barbie doll with Down syndrome. And McKeon,a Down syndrome advocate who has the genetic condition herself,helped make it happen.
"The doll looks just like me," McKeon, manager of grassoots advocacy with the U.S. National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), told As It Happens host Nil Köksal.
"I'm going to keep mine where I can see it every day."
The doll is the newest addition to Mattel's Fashionistas collection, which reflects a wider diversity than the original Barbie lineup in terms of skin colour, hairstyle, body shape, ability and more.
"We are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,"Lisa McKnight, executive vice-president and global head of Barbie anddolls at Mattel, said in a press release.
"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. 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."
'They definitely did it right'
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person is born with an extra chromosome, changing the way the brain and the body develops.
An estimated 45,000 Canadians have Down syndrome, according to the Down Syndrome Association of Toronto.
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When Mattel decided to make a Barbie with the condition, they turned to the NDSS for guidance. That's where McKeon came in.
McKeon and her colleagues ensured the design accurately reflected the physical characteristics commonly associated with Down syndrome.
That means the doll is shorter in stature than most Barbies. She has small round ears, almond-shaped eyes, a flat nasal bridgeand a singlecrease on her palms.She also sports orthotics, which some children with Down syndrome use to support their feet and ankles.
"They definitely did it right," McKeon said. "They were just really receptive to what we had to say when it came down to the characteristics, because they got the characteristics down to a T."
The doll also has some more symbolic features associated with Down syndrome. Her dress is blue and yellow, the colours of Down syndrome awareness.
Her pendant is three upward chevrons, representing three copies of the 21st chromosome, the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. It's a design known as "the lucky few," a referencepeoplehave someone with Down syndrome in their lives.
The symbol reminds McKeon of her connection to her own family and friends.
"It's a link of all of us together," she said.
'I hope everybody plays with the doll'
McKeonis a prominent advocate for people with Down syndrome. She's a Special Olympics medallist. She's the firstregistered lobbyist in the U.S. with Down syndrome. And she hosts a NDSS podcast about her work in Washington, D.C.
"Representation is always pivotal," she said. "We want to be seen in the community as valued members, because we absolutely are."
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Growing up, shesays, she loved playing with Barbies.
"But there wasn't a doll that looked like me necessarily. And that's what I always hoped for," she said.
But she says the doll isn't just for people with Down syndrome.
"I hope everybody plays with the doll. When I was in school, I was included with my peers. So I'm hoping my peers and my friends are able to play with this doll as a symbol of diversity and inclusion today, which is just so huge."
Interview with Kayla McKeon produced by Morgan Passi.
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As someone deeply immersed in the realm of disability advocacy and inclusion, particularly within the context of Down syndrome, I can attest to the significance of Mattel's recent unveiling of a Barbie doll featuring Down syndrome. My name is [Your Name], and my extensive involvement in disability rights, inclusion initiatives, and collaboration with organizations such as the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) positions me as a credible voice on this subject.
The article highlights the collaboration between Kayla McKeon, a Down syndrome advocate and manager of grassroots advocacy with the NDSS, and Mattel in creating a Barbie that authentically represents individuals with Down syndrome. This collaboration is not merely symbolic but is rooted in a genuine commitment to accurately capture the physical characteristics associated with Down syndrome, a genetic condition involving an extra chromosome that affects both brain and body development.
The evidence of Mattel's dedication to authenticity is clear in the detailed design aspects mentioned by McKeon and her colleagues. The Barbie with Down syndrome is notably shorter in stature, has small round ears, almond-shaped eyes, a flat nasal bridge, and a single crease on her palms. Moreover, the doll incorporates orthotics, reflecting the real-world use of such aids by some children with Down syndrome for supporting their feet and ankles.
What sets this Barbie apart is the meticulous attention to detail, as McKeon emphasizes, stating that Mattel "definitely did it right" by accurately incorporating these characteristics. The doll's dress in blue and yellow, the colors associated with Down syndrome awareness, and the pendant featuring three upward chevrons, symbolizing the extra 21st chromosome, further demonstrate Mattel's commitment to representing Down syndrome in a meaningful and symbolic way.
McKeon's personal connection to the doll's features, such as the pendant symbolizing "the lucky few," adds a poignant touch, linking the representation of Down syndrome to personal experiences and connections within the community.
The broader context of Mattel's Fashionistas collection, aimed at reflecting diversity in terms of skin color, hairstyle, body shape, ability, and more, aligns with the company's goal to counter social stigma through play. Lisa McKnight, executive vice-president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, emphasizes the importance of enabling all children to see themselves in Barbie while encouraging empathy and understanding by playing with dolls that do not necessarily resemble them.
As a staunch advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, Kayla McKeon underscores the pivotal role of representation. Her hope that the Barbie is not just for people with Down syndrome but for everyone as a symbol of diversity and inclusion underscores the broader impact such initiatives can have on societal perceptions.
In conclusion, Mattel's introduction of a Barbie with Down syndrome, shaped with the guidance of Down syndrome advocates like Kayla McKeon, is a commendable step toward fostering inclusivity, representation, and understanding through the medium of play. This initiative has the potential to contribute significantly to building a more accepting world by challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity.
