Six decades after the original Barbie hit shelves, Mattel is launching its first blind Barbie doll in an effort to make its range more inclusive.
The US toymaker said the doll, which is now available online and instore, has been created in a bid to make blind and low-vision children more represented within society.
In a statement, Krista Berger, the senior vice-president of Barbie and the global head of dolls, said: “We recognise that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging.”
The company has worked with the American Foundation for the Blind to ensure that everything from the doll’s eyes to its clothing accurately depict people with blindness and low vision.
The doll holds a white and red cane with a marshmallow tip while its eye gaze faces slightly up and out to “accurately reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind individual”.
After conducting testing with blind and low-vision children, it was decided that the doll should be dressed in clothing with tactile fabric detailing including a pink satin T-shirt and purple tulle skirt. Details such as loop fasteners on the back of the doll’s top and elastic waistband on the skirt were created in an effort to ensure that dressing the doll is easier. The packaging is also more accessible than its standard offering and includes the word Barbie written in braille on the front of the box.