Barbie, Izzy Wheels Collab for Custom Wheelchair Accessories

Izzy Wheels and Mattel have partnered to create wheelchair spoke guards inspired by the Barbie doll.

The limited-edition accessories arrive in celebration of Barbie’s 60-year anniversary. Designs can be customized to fit any manual wheelchair. Miniaturized versions of the spoke guards will also be available to accessorize with the recently launched Barbie Fashionistas Doll #132, which comes with a wheelchair and ramp.

“Having a Barbie in a wheelchair meant so much to me as a little girl, and I love that a whole new generation of kids with disabilities can play with a Barbie that represents them,” says Izzy Keane, co-founder, Izzy Wheels in an interview with the Irish Examiner.

Izzy Wheels, an Irish company, was launched in 2015 by sisters Izzy and Aibhe Keane. The idea was inspired by Izzy, who was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down. Aibhe worked with her sister to develop wheelchair accessories for Izzy that would reflect her personality.

"Our mission with Izzy Wheels is to challenge negative associations with wheelchairs and let users celebrate their individuality by personalizing their source of independence,” says Ailbhe Keane, co-founder and creative director, Izzy Wheels. “We want to show the world that wheelchairs can be so much more than a medical device; they can be a piece of artistic self- expression.”

Since the launch of the company, the Keane sisters have received accolades for their company including making the Forbes 30-under-30 list in 2018.