LEGO have just showed off its first-ever figure in a wheelchair at recent toy fairs in Nuremberg and London, and the little guy even comes complete with his own helper dog.
The #ToyLikeMe organisers reacted joyfully, writing on their campaign page: “We’ve got genuine tears of joy right now … Lego have just rocked our brick-built world!”
Its co-founder Rebecca Atkinson wrote in the Guardian in December: “The brand continues to exclude 150 million disabled children worldwide by failing to positively represent them in its products …
Lego was at the centre of another online campaign recently, which argued that the company should drop its restrictions on bulk-buying bricks after Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was blocked from ordering bricks for his work. The company previously had a policy of asking for the reasoning behind bulk orders, and preventing any overtly political use; they relented after global indignation, saying that their policy “could result in misunderstandings or be perceived as inconsistent”.
A #ToyLikeMe campaign encouraged many toy makers, including LEGO, to include more diverse models — particularly addressing disabled children.
![LEGO Has Produced Its First Ever Figure In A Wheelchair LEGO Has Produced Its First Ever Figure In A Wheelchair](http://i1.wp.com/pulptastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lego1.jpg?w=620)
Over 20,000 people signed a Change.org petition lobbying LEGO to include disabled figures in its sets and, eventually, LEGO was persuaded.
The #ToyLikeMe campaigners were very, very excited.
They wrote on Facebook, “We’ve got genuine tears of joy right now … Lego have just rocked our brick-built word!”
Founder Rebecca Atkinson said, “This is more than just about sales figures or disability access, it’s about changing cultural perceptions.”
![LEGO Has Produced Its First Ever Figure In A Wheelchair LEGO Has Produced Its First Ever Figure In A Wheelchair](http://i1.wp.com/pulptastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2AFF94AB00000578-3181525-image-a-3_1438360924346.jpg?w=620)
“It’s about brands such as LEGO using their vast power of influence to positive effect.”
LEGO now joins a growing list of toy makers creating models that disabled children can really relate to — and feel represented by.
![LEGO Has Produced Its First Ever Figure In A Wheelchair LEGO Has Produced Its First Ever Figure In A Wheelchair](http://i2.wp.com/pulptastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12592217_1685814075032069_7338086858811299891_n.jpg?w=620)
Maybe the guys over at LEGO aren’t so block-headed after all…