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Mattel is expanding its Fashionista line with the addition of the first blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome, the company announced on Tuesday (July 23).
“We recognize that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging,” said Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls. “We proudly introduce a new blind Barbie doll and Black doll with Down syndrome to our Barbie Fashionistas line, reinforcing our commitment to creating products that represent global belonging and inclusivity in the doll aisle.”
Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind for the construction of the doll, including her facial details, outfit and accessories. The doll retails for $10.99 and comes with a cane and sunglasses, while the packaging features “Barbie” written in braille.
“It was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the development of the blind Barbie doll,” said Eric Bridges, CEO and president, American Foundation for the Blind. “By increasing representation and promoting awareness about the experiences of blind individuals and those with low vision, our shared goal is to inspire boundless opportunities for everyone, ultimately leading to a world of greater accessibility and inclusion.”
The doll was tested among children with blindness and low vision to “ensure that it provides an accessible and satisfying play experience for kids with blindness or low vision,” the company said in a press release.
Mattel’s blind Barbie doll is available at Amazon and Target, and currently out of stock at Walmart.
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