Mattel has introduced its first Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome. The doll is part of the company’s partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDDS) and Taylor Freeman, a 21-year-old Black college student with Down syndrome.

Freeman was used as inspiration to create the doll. She and her mother, Ayoca Freeman were part of a focus group that provided input for the doll’s design.

“Taylor, as a little girl, played with Barbies,” her mother told Fox 5 DC. “And I would’ve never dreamed in a million years that we would have a Barbie with Down syndrome in our home. I would’ve never, never ever imagined this. It’s an honor to be part of something so special, and it’s a blessing to have a doll that looks like my daughter, who does have a disability.”

The doll has a rounder shape, slightly slanted eyes and a single line on her palm, characteristics often associated with those with Down syndrome. The blue and yellow on her dress represent the colors for Down syndrome awareness and the three arrows in some of the hearts on the dress, represent the third 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have.

According to the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (CDC), 13% of Black infants are born with Down syndrome.

“NDSS is thrilled to introduce a second Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Having this doll launched
alongside the new Barbie doll with Blindness marks another important step in expanding representation for the disability community,” said Kandi Pickard, President and CEO, NDSS in a statement. “We are proud to partner with Barbie as they grow to reflect our diverse and beautiful world.”

The doll is part of the Barbie Fashionistas line, an inclusive line that features blind dolls, dolls with hearing aids, and wheelchairs.