Back in 1997, Mattel released a new Barbie character named Becky. Becky was a wheelchair user, released 7 years after the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, which was a huge first step for the inclusion of dolls with disabilities.

Published on May 16, 1997, the press release for Share a Smile Becky read in part: "Mattel worked closely with Toys "R" Us and National Parent Network on Disabilities (NPND) to develop the newest member of the Barbie world. ... Share a Smile Becky is Barbie doll's friend with a disability that was designed so that the Barbie doll world will reflect the richness and diversity of the real world." 

Becky was an incredible first step towards inclusion, something that had never been done before in the doll world. However, she didn't last very long. Becky had only three iterations released during a 3 year run: Share a Smile Becky; Becky, I'm the School Photographer; and Paralympic Champion Becky. Paralympic Champion Becky was the last to be released in 2000.

Why was this incredible doll so short-lived? Well, when consumers discovered that Becky's wheelchair would not fit through the doors or into the elevators of the Barbie Dreamhouses, there was some backlash about those houses not being compatible with her. And instead of altering the design of said houses, Mattel simply decided to discontinue the doll to avoid any further backlash.

It was only recently, back in 2019, when wheelchair Barbies were even attempted again. Two new dolls who use wheelchairs were released-- a blonde, caucasian Barbie and a Black Barbie with natural hair. These dolls are still available in stores as of the writing of this petition, and there has been no notable backlash that has been documented as a result of these new wheelchair-bound dolls being released. In fact, these dolls even come with wheelchair ramps in an effort to be more inclusive of their needs.

Although these two new dolls are another great step towards once again being inclusive of disabilities, there's a huge problem with these dolls-- they're not characters. Becky was a character, described as a "Friend of Barbie". These two Barbies, in contrast, are Barbie Fashionistas, which are unnamed dolls that are not included in things like the Barbie videos, unlike notable characters such as Barbie's sisters and friends like Ken, Midge, Daisy, et cetera. So although an effort is certainly being made to be more inclusive, it falls short, considering that Barbie currently has no friends with disabilities.

That brings me to the point of this petition: I am petitioning Mattel to bring back Becky as a character. Barbie needs a diverse friend group, since she's such an iconic character that promotes acceptance and inclusion. The lack of a Barbie friend with disabilities is bound to make children with disabilities sad that Barbie doesn't have a friend like them. Becky was the perfect answer to that dilemma, and yet no Becky dolls have been released since 2000 with the release of Paralympic Champion Becky.

Please, Mattel, bring back Barbie's wheelchair-using friend!!