DUBAI: Don’t be surprised if you walk into a toy store and find dolls in wheelchairs or with hearing aids.
US-based doll makers American Girl which launched the inclusion dolls at their Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif stores recently, said the playmates make special giveaways for children with special needs.
“UAE is the first country outside the US where we have introduced inclusion dolls,” said Sherif Hashem, senior marketing manager for American Girl MENA.
Breaking stereotypes
“The dolls in our product line don’t conform to stereotypes At our store, any little girl can find a doll she can relate to irrespective of ethnicity, hair colour or eye colour. We believe in empowering women and co-existence, and want to reassure special girls that they are an integral part of society,” said Hashem who claims to have sold over 150 inclusion dolls (priced between Dh280 and Dh575) since the opening of their first store in November 2017.
“We are also looking to introduce dolls without hair to show young cancer survivors that’s it perfectly okay to be the way you are,” he added.
The parent of a six-year-old girl with hearing disability said it was heartwarming to see toy companies reaching out to children with special needs. “Regular dolls don’t fit the bill for my daughter as she has no emotional connect with them,” said Indian expat Ritika Singh.
A mother of a six-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, said it’s difficult to find something appropriate on toy shelves for her son. Research shows that all kids can benefit from playing with toys that represent disabilities as it heightens their level of empathy.
Psychologists believe that children should play with toys that don’t encourage stereotypes about what defines beauty. Toys have profound effect on their confidence. Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, both classic Pixar movies, are a good source of inspiration all the kids.
