US toymaker Mattel has put up its first-ever for sale as a step towards inclusivity in its toy range. This initiative, according to the company, is aimed at enhancing the representation of visually-impaired and low-vision children. The creation of this doll was in collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind to authentically represent individuals with blindness and low vision, according to The Guardian.
Photos released by Mattel reveal that the doll is equipped with a white and red cane, complete with a marshmallow tip. Moreover, Mattel has made the doll's packaging more accessible by incorporating Braille. The word 'Barbie' is embossed in Braille on the front of the box for easy identification of the product by visually-impaired children.
ALSO SEE: Krista Berger, senior vice-president of Barbie, emphasised the importance of this new addition, stating, "We recognise that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging." The design process involved thorough testing with blind and low-vision children and the doll's clothes were finalised based on their feedback. Blind is here & I am her ambassador 💖 AD This is not a drill! The most popular doll in the world has a long white cane.
Now blind people everywhere can grow up feeling represented & play with dolls that look like them 💖 this really is a dream moment 💖 — Lucy Edwards👩🏻🦯 (@lucyedwards) Mattel has also partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society in the US to launch its first black doll with Down syndrome. It released a white doll with Down Syndrome last year. ALSO SEE: But the Blind Barbie toy idea has divided the internet, with many wondering what's next in line.
"Coming soon...
drug addicted Barbie and Trans Ken!" said one user while another called the doll "stunning and brave." Others questioned the real motive behind the introduction of Blind Barbie while accusing Mattel of "virtue-signalling" somehow. I hope this is a joke.
How will blind kids know the Barbie is blind?— SirCryptoConrad (@SirCryptoC) 😂😂😂 we gonna have transgender Barbie's next— Truth_Herrtz (@blamethegovern) — Jim's Coffee ☕ (@RealCoffeeJim) I’ve got no problem with it - but if they’re blind can they even tell?— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) Stunning and brave.— Antonio Pinotti (@ampinotti) I honestly like that they are making Barbie’s with different disabilities. Disabled people are the only people IMO that actually deserve special treatment like this since they really are disenfranchised to no fault of their own.
They deserve to feel accepted with the rest of us.— RecoveredFeminist (@recoveredfemm) So cute it's a very beautiful— News of Pakistan 🗒️ (@Pakistan943) Now what’s this for exactly?— Hyacinth Dml 🥷 X (@Hyacinthedml) DOES THIS MEAN THE OTHER BARBIE DOLLS CAN SEE?!— Who Asked You (@WithXS) virtue signaling— Cinderella Lightfoot (@CinderLightfoot) Coming soon..
.drug addicted Barbie and Trans Ken!— Dr. Ewok (@Savannahtony) ALSO SEE:.
