Disabled Dolls

Post Reply New Topic

A TikTok has gone viral of a user mocking Kmart’s latest inclusive doll.
The clip, which has amassed more than 6 million views in just one day, shows a shelf full of toys including a Down syndrome doll that was released in late 2020.

The footage is overplayed with the text “Kmart Australia has no chill,” alongside several crying emojis.



Last year, former Bachelor contestant Laura Byrne shared a tearful apology after she mistakenly made fun of the retailer’s doll with Down syndrome.

In a since deleted Instagram post, she wrote: “Good luck to all the mamas surviving the next week of rain with toddlers stuck inside,” she wrote over a video of her daughter asking for a doll.

“I think we have enough crying babies at home, we don’t need another one,” Ms Byrne tells her daughter.

“And this baby here is truly petrifying,” she added as she approached one doll on the store’s shelves. “That is a scary AF doll.”
Kmart launched its two dolls with Down syndrome in December 2020 in what has been labelled a big win for disability representation.

The dolls were welcomed by Down syndrome Australia (DSA).

“They reached out to DSA early in the process to consult with us about their ideas, and we’re happy to see dolls with Down syndrome in their new line of inclusive toys,” DSA management said in a statement at the time.

Parents have since posted positive comments about the dolls on social media, commending the retailer for allowing children with the condition to finally have a doll they can relate to.

“My 7 year old daughter Georgia has Cerebral Palsy and Autism, my mother came across these amazing dolls in Kmart, my daughter absolutely loves them. I think it is such a beautiful idea that the company has come up with these beautiful Dolls with Down syndrome,” one woman wrote on Facebook.

The retailer has expanded its inclusion dolls range to include a Guide Dog handler.

That's surprising. I thought Kmart went out of business.

Australia has a Kmart and that is where cyberdad is from. They also have a Target too if I recall correctly.

If you're bored with superhero dolls, then try out the opposite. Dolls depicting folk with less than normal powers!

Is this for real?

^ OK thanks

Actually that's taken directly from the link (all the journalists words)

other examples include disabled Barbie and Ken dolls

There was a wheelchair Barbie when I was a kid. I didn't think much of it then. There were even black Barbie dolls then and brown Barbie dolls and I thought nothing of it then. Even Mattel back then was trying to be inclusive. I wonder if anyone protested against these toys back then?

I remember pregnant Barbie struck debate back then because everyone thought somehow that the toy would make kids think it's okay to get pregnant in your teens. From what I knew back then, Barbie is an adult. Why would I even think as an 8 year old that I should get pregnant when I become a teenager? I knew as an 8 year old Barbie is an adult so she is expecting. I even remember thinking as a kid she is married to Ken.

I am wondering if they would do a "Downs" Barbie? It would be great if toy manufacturers custom make regular dolls if there is a demand, Quite clearly Downs children love the dolls.

There are children who like black dolls but I have to admit seeing little children nowadays they still prefer the "mainstream" dolls. A black Anya or Elsa doll would be cute but strange for a little girl who watched Frozen and might have fixed ideas what they want to play with.

maybe if i get a wheelchair then people will treat me better than they do when I have an invisible handycap.

I wonder if they would let me come to work with my "Therapy Horse"?

It can make a world of little to a very young child to be able to find a doll that "looks like them."

American Girl Dolls have always been big on that.

Barbies are different, they aren't dolls most girls identify with to start with.