Canada’s Paralympic Committee Creates Free Printable Toy ‘Para Expansion Pack’
Image via Canadian Paralympic Committee
As the concept of diversity goes, there’s always room for more, and our comprehension of it should be ever-evolving. It’s applaudable that brands have pledged for greater representation of ethnicities and body types, and the list should keep growing.
While athletes and other occupations have been memorialized as dolls and the ilk, little attention has been placed on the parasport community. So to commemorate Tokyo 2020 as the first time the Paralympic Games are being broadcasted on Canadian prime time, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is pushing the representation of people with disabilities into the world of pop culture.
With the help of advertising partner BBDO Canada, the CPC has rolled out ‘The Para Expansion Pack’, a free collection of 11 custom parts representing mobility aids and equipment in Paralympic sports, like a basketball wheelchair, prosthetic legs, and running blades.
Image via Canadian Paralympic Committee
While a brand name isn’t stated, it’s evident that the pieces are designed to be easily attached to existing LEGO Minifigures.
“In the spirit of inclusivity, we’ve created a unique addition to a beloved building toy. It’s the first of its kind to reflect Paralympic sport and the broader community,” describes the committee.
The CDC has also included the printing files, along with instructions, for anyone with a 3D printer to obtain the extensions to be added to their builds.
The hope is for prominent toymakers to pay heed and expand their ideas of inclusivity beyond able-bodied individuals. “It’s about giving these competitors their due, not just as athletes but as icons of popular culture,” explains Max Geraldo, chief creative officer of BBDO Canada, in a statement shared by Little Black Book.
“In its own small way, the Para Expansion Pack helps them take their place as stars.”
Image via Canadian Paralympic Committee
Image via Canadian Paralympic Committee
Screenshot via Canadian Paralympic Committee
[via Little Black Book, images via Canadian Paralympic Committee]
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