Mixmups and the importance of disability representation

Last week a new children's TV show started on Channel 5s Milkshake slot called Mixmups, which is discussed in this BBC news article: Mixmups: Behind the scenes with the disabled stop motion characters.

Mixmups is a fun stop motion animated series aimed at preschool children. It is also important for two reasons:

1. It is the first animated children's TV show to have two visibly disabled lead characters
2. It is entirely 'disabled led' which means that everyone involved in the production is either disabled themselves or has lived experience of disability

The lead characters are Pockets, who is vision impaired and has a guide dog; Giggle who uses a wheelchair; and Spin who does not have a visible disability but lives with anxiety. The creator of the show is Rebecca Atkinson, who was born partially deaf and as an adult became vision impaired.

Disability representation is important to Rebecca, who is also the founder of the #ToyLikeMe campaign, which called for toy companies to do more to ensure that toys represent all children, including those with disabilities.

Watch the fantastic video below, where the creators and writers behind two children's TV shows discuss the importance of representation, both for empowering disabled children and young people but also for improving the friendship attitudes of children without disabilities.