Today, the first ever blind Barbie doll will be available in toy stores.
This new Barbie is part of Mattel’s effort to include more diverse and representative dolls in their collection, which also features the first Barbie with Down’s syndrome.
Mattel designed the blind Barbie in collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind and the Royal National Institute of Blind People. The doll comes with unique features, such as a cane, dark glasses, and textured clothing, to make her more relatable to blind children or those with low vision.
The doll’s eyes are designed to look slightly upward and outward, mimicking the gaze of some blind individuals. Additionally, Barbie’s name on the box is written in Braille, a tactile writing system used by blind people.
Lucy Edwards, a broadcaster and disability activist from Birmingham, expressed her excitement about the new Barbie. She lost her eyesight at 17 and believes that having a blind Barbie would have helped her feel less isolated and more confident during her adjustment to blindness.
Debbie Miller from RNIB praised the new Barbie, noting that the detailed design, including the tactile clothing and accessories, acknowledges the experiences of the visually impaired community. She hopes this doll will help children and adults with sight loss feel more included and recognised.
