The story of a campaign that helped produce the UK’s first ever Deaf doll. Melissa Mostyn reports
UPDATE: UK’s first ever Deaf doll produced
London 3D Printing toy company MyMakie.com have stepped up to the Toy Like Me campaign call for better diversity, by producing the UK’s first ever Deaf doll – complete with hearing aids and signing hands.
Makie dolls, who produce bespoke 3D printed dolls online and in Selfridges and Hamleys, print in London and were able to respond to the Toy Like Me campaign in two weeks. The company also plans to produce the world’s first cochlear implant wearing doll.
The Deaf Makie doll will soon be available to buy in store from mymakie.com
Campaigners are thrilled with the response, but have now called on toy giants, Playmobil, Mattell Barbie and Lego to follow suit.
Join the ‘Toy Like Me’ campaign by sharing images of toys that reflect Deafness and disability positively, including toys that have been homemade or altered to give them disabilities. Read and share letters from children with disabilities calling on the toy industry to make more ‘toys like them’, with the hashtag #toylikeme.
Published in BDN June 2015 issue
