91吃瓜网

At the end of January 2016, major news sites and social media alike were abuzz with coverage of how Mattel and Lego were addressing diversity鈥攊n the case of Lego, with a and for Mattel, with the introduction of .

While these items can be dismissed as mere playthings, they are important to the perceptions that are forming in developing young minds. Laura DeRose, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor in Adelphi’s said, 鈥淭he iconic image of Barbie contributed to an unconscious belief in girls that being thin, white and having straight blond hair is preferable to other body types, skin tones, hair colors and textures. It is a long overdue change that Mattel is now offering dolls that reflect a wider range of individual differences.”

, creator of the blog and a communications consultant specializing in disability issues, said, 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 crucial for kids to understand that there鈥檚 diversity in the world around them, and the only way that鈥檚 going to happen is if it鈥檚 in front of them. It鈥檚 another means of normalizing disability.鈥�

Ladau, who uses a wheelchair herself, said she that as a child she didn鈥檛 feel represented in the imaginary worlds she created with Legos and other toys. 鈥淲hen I was little, no one looked like me in the toys I played with except for a Barbie called Share a Smile Becky, who was in a pink and purple wheelchair,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e representing a community of people, it has to be more than just one toy.鈥�

Ladau has consulted for the to address accessibility issues in the workplace. She has also advocated for toy companies to be more representative in their product design. Primarily, she had (her favorite as a young girl). The company recently introduced a doll with an insulin testing kit, helping to remind children with diabetes that they鈥檙e not alone in their condition.

According to Laura Ludlam, director of Adelphi鈥檚 , high-quality early education programs have been on the forefront of addressing diversity. 鈥淲e have had figures in our block area with crutches and canes for years,鈥� she said. 鈥淐hildren fight over and want to play with them.鈥� ELC educators regularly address diversity, answer children鈥檚 questions and create a culture of acceptance, 鈥渉ow we are alike but different,鈥� Ludlam explained. 鈥淲e all have rights, and it鈥檚 our responsibility to respect rights and create an inclusive environment.鈥�

Adelphi has gone a long way in creating such an inclusive environment, according to Rosemary Garabedian, director of the University鈥檚 office. Signage on campus has been changed to use the word 鈥渁ccessible鈥� rather than 鈥渄isabled,鈥� and a new wheelchair logo shows the familiar stick figure on a blue background in motion rather than sitting stagnant, she said. Adelphi was also among the first colleges in the state to install T-Coil Hearing Loop Systems, which micro-broadcast sound to the hearing aids of people in the room, she added. Right now the devices are only in Post Hall but Garabedian鈥檚 office is working on expanding them to other buildings, including the Performing Arts Center theaters.

鈥淚 get letters from parents who say they鈥檙e sending their students here because they鈥檝e heard of the services we have,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are also high school counselors on Long Island who recommend us to their students based on the high level of services.鈥�