Barbie gets more inclusive with wheelchair and prosthetic limb

The Barbie Fashionistas line offers over 100 looks to reflect a variety of appearances and identities, and the collection is about to get even more inclusive in 2019.

Mattel announced Monday that new dolls will rock a braided hair texture and have a more realistic body type (think smaller bust, less defined waist, and sculpted arms). Barbies in this line will also include different types of ability, such as a prosthetic limb and wheelchair use.

"As a brand, we can elevate the conversation around physical disabilities by including them into our fashion doll line to further showcase a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion," Mattel said in a statement.

The company said that fans frequently requested a wheelchair accessory. To ensure the toy wheelchair accurately represented the real thing, Mattel worked with UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital as well as wheelchair experts.

The wheelchair is designed like those used by people with a permanent physical disability and can be paired with any of the dolls from the flexible and posable Made to Move line. Mattel will also sell a wheelchair ramp.

The doll with a removable prosthetic limb is the result of a collaboration between Mattel and 13-year-old Jordan Reeves, founder of the nonprofit organization Born Just Right, which develops "creative solutions that help kids with disabilities live a more enjoyable life."

The new line will be available in June 2019, so let the countdown begin.