Kmart Keeps It Inclusive By Featuring Models With Disabilities

Attention Kmart shoppers, there's an awesome new addition to the brand’s latest catalog.

Kmart Australia has taken a big step toward inclusivity by featuring models with disabilities -- and the public is loving it:

A rep for Kmart Australia told Buzzfeed that this is the first time the company has featured children with special needs in its catalogs.

"At Kmart Australia we want to reflect every person who walks into our stores -- whether they are a team member, a customer, a contractor or supplier. Inclusion is important to us at Kmart no matter a person’s race, gender, ethnicity, age, ability, appearance or attitude and we are focussed on continuing to improve on this commitment," a Kmart Australia rep told The Huffington Post.

One of these models is 6-year-old Matilda McKirdy who has Down syndrome, according to Daily Mail. Matilda's mother, Bree Anastasi, told Daily Mail she believes the power of advertising can shift peoples’ perspectives on individuals with disabilities.

Another model is 11-year-old Cooper Smith from Melbourne. His mother, Bronwyn Leeks, told Buzzfeed that Cooper has always wanted to model and had a positive experience at the shoot.

“He still couldn’t really believe he was in the catalog!” she told Buzzfeed. “He was so excited to see himself represent Kmart and represent kids who have a disability. He is very proud of who he is including the fact he has cerebral palsy.”

Though she and her son are brimming with pride, they also just want Cooper to be seen as any other kid.

“Right now it’s a big deal that mainstream media is finally including children with varying abilities,” Leeks told The Mighty. “One day it won’t be a big deal, it will be the norm. For now I want them to see a child looking forward to Easter who happens to use a walker because he happens to have a disability.