Lego unveils first disabled minifigure

MANILA, Philippines – The first ever Lego minifigure with a disability was unveiled at the Nuremburg Toy Fair on January 27.

Photos of the figure have only been released on Lego fan sites so far. On fan site Promobricks Facebook page, a photo shows a boy in a beanie sitting on a wheelchair. A helper dog is also positioned near the figure.

According to the fan website, Brickfans, the boy and his dog are part of the Fun in the Park set, which includes 14 minifigures.

Lego has been criticized in the past for the lack of diversity in its toys. In April 2015, UK journalist Rebecca Atkinson, started a campaign called #ToyLikeMe, which called for toy-making companies to represent persons with disabilities in their toys.

#ToyLikeMe also started a petition, which lobbied for Lego to include disabled figures in their sets. The petition was signed by more than 20,000 people.

“There are 150 million children with disabilities worldwide. Yet these kids are arriving into a world where, even before they’ve left their mums’ laps, they’re excluded or misrepresented by the very industry that exists to create their entertainment, the objects that fuel their development, the starting blocks of life: Toys!” wrote Rebecca to Lego.

Rebecca also wrote a piece for The Guardian in December 2015, saying, “The brand continues to exclude 150 million disabled children worldwide by failing to positively represent them in its products.”

Lego did not respond to the petition then, but Rebecca is taking their new disabled minifigure as a response.

Since Fun in the Park was released, Rebecca gave a statement, saying, “Lego, we salute you! You’ve just made a 150 million children, their mums, dads, nans, grandads, teachers, carers, pet dogs and hamsters very VERY VERY happy!”

Rebecca thanked Lego and the campaign’s supporters in her message, too.

The release of Lego’s first disabled minifigure was followed by another big change in the toy industry – Barbie announced that their iconic doll will now be available in different shapes, sizes, and ethnicities.

What do you think of Lego’s first-ever disabled minifigure? Let us know in the comments! – Rappler.com