Barbie has unveiled two new additions to its expanding range of diverse and inclusive dolls: a blind Barbie and the first Black Barbie with Down syndrome. These dolls are part of Barbie’s 2024 Fashionistas Line, a collection known for its variety, featuring over 175 different skin tones, eye colors, hair textures, body types, disabilities, and fashion styles. This significant step forward showcases Mattel’s commitment to reflecting the world’s diversity and promoting inclusion.
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
In recent years, the Barbie Fashionistas Line has been at the forefront of representing various disabilities and appearances. Past additions to the line have included Barbies and Kens with mobility aids such as wheelchairs and braces, dolls with hearing aids, hair loss, and vitiligo. The introduction of the first Barbie with Down syndrome last year was a milestone, and this year, the lineup expands further with the introduction of a blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome.
According to a statement from Mattel, these new dolls were created in partnership with nonprofit agencies that advocate for those with vision impairments and blindness, as well as people with Down syndrome. The collaboration involved extensive conversations with members of the communities these dolls represent, ensuring that the dolls feature accurate and respectful details. For instance, the number of lines on the Barbies’ palms was meticulously designed to reflect the characteristics of people with Down syndrome.
Blind Barbie: Features and Design
The blind Barbie is a first for the Fashionistas Line, although Mattel had previously introduced a blind Barbie as part of its Inspiring Women series, which included a doll inspired by Helen Keller. This new blind Barbie comes equipped with a white and red cane featuring a marshmallow tip and a pair of functional sunglasses. The sunglasses are designed to provide additional eye protection, catering to individuals who may be sensitive to light.
Unlike some other models, this Barbie has bendable elbows, allowing her to comfortably use her cane. Her eyes are designed with an “eye gaze facing slightly up and out,” reflecting the appearance of the eyes of some blind or low-vision individuals. These thoughtful design choices help in providing an accurate representation of blind and low-vision individuals.
Mattel worked closely with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) on the clothing, design, and packaging for the doll. The sensory-rich outfit for Blind Barbie includes a satiny pink blouse and a ruffled skirt, offering a strong tactile experience. The blouse features a brightly colored, high-contrast hook and loop closure on the back, and the skirt has an elastic waistband, making it easier to change Barbie’s clothes. These high-contrast elements are more easily viewable for people with low vision, enhancing the doll’s accessibility.
Accessible Packaging
The packaging for the blind Barbie was also designed with accessibility in mind. New features, which will now be implemented on all Barbie Fashionistas dolls, include braille spelling out “Barbie” and an easier-to-open design with a pull tab that opens the back of the box. This thoughtful packaging makes it more accessible for children and adults who are blind or have low vision.
Eric Bridges, CEO and President of the American Foundation for the Blind, expressed his pride in collaborating with Barbie on the development of the blind Barbie doll. He emphasized that increasing representation and promoting awareness about the experiences of blind individuals and those with low vision is a shared goal. This collaboration aims to inspire boundless opportunities for everyone, ultimately leading to a world of greater accessibility and inclusion.
Black Barbie with Down Syndrome: Features and Design
Mattel has also introduced another groundbreaking doll, a Black Barbie with Down syndrome. This is the second Barbie with Down syndrome to be introduced, following the release of the first in April 2023. The new doll was designed in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), and this time, Mattel also consulted a focus group of Black individuals from the Down syndrome community to ensure the doll’s features and design accurately reflect their experiences.
The Black Barbie with Down syndrome was sculpted to depict the physical characteristics of people with the condition, including a shorter frame, a longer torso, and low muscle tone. Her palms feature single lines, a common characteristic of people with Down syndrome. Her head was crafted with great attention to detail, featuring a rounder shape, smaller ears, a flat nasal bridge, and eyes that are slightly slanted in an almond shape with white dots in the iris. These physical traits help in creating a realistic representation of individuals with Down syndrome.
The Barbie’s hair and clothing were also designed based on community feedback. Her hair is textured and braided, reflecting a request from the Black Down syndrome community. She wears a blue and yellow dress featuring a pattern associated with the Down syndrome awareness movement. The dress includes three arrows in some of the hearts, symbolizing the third 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have.
Packaging and Availability
Similar to the blind Barbie, the packaging for the Black Barbie with Down syndrome includes accessible features. The packaging has been designed to be more user-friendly for individuals with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and use these dolls without unnecessary barriers.
Both dolls will be available for purchase starting Tuesday at major retailers and online at the Mattel shop, priced at $10.99 each. They will also feature in the YouTube series “Barbie Doll Adventures,” further promoting the brand’s inclusive message and reaching a wider audience.
Barbie Fashionistas Line: A Legacy of Diversity
The Barbie Fashionistas Line was first introduced in 2009 and has since been dedicated to reflecting the diverse world that children see around them. Each year, a new lineup of dolls is released, offering a wide variety of shapes, sizes, skin tones, hair colors and types, eye colors and shapes, fashion styles, disabilities, and more. The 2023 line included several different Barbies and Kens in wheelchairs, Barbies and Kens with vitiligo, the first doll with Down syndrome, and a Ken with a prosthetic leg.
According to Mattel, the Barbie Fashionistas series now offers more than 175 unique looks. The dolls aim to advance Barbie’s continued goal of reflecting a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion, enabling more children to see themselves in their dolls and see their world reflected through play.
Commitment to Inclusivity
Barbie’s latest additions, the blind Barbie and Black Barbie with Down syndrome, are significant steps in promoting inclusivity and representation in the toy industry. These dolls not only provide children with toys that look like them but also help in educating society about the diverse experiences and appearances of people around the world. Through thoughtful design, community collaboration, and accessible features, Mattel continues to lead the way in creating products that celebrate and embrace diversity.
Click here to read the original article by Mary Walrath-Holdridge at USA Today.
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