While Mattel has spent plenty of time working on the inclusivity of its products, it feels like a big focus of its work this year— maybe even more specifically this summer. Last month, we reported on their announcement that 80% of their games will be colorblind accessible by the end of this year, and today, they’re launching a blind Barbie for their Fashionistas line in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind.
According to a statement, AFB helped Mattel “ensure every detail of the Barbie—from face sculpt, fashion, accessories, packaging experience, to e-commerce communication—accurately depicts someone with blindness and helps add representation for the blind community.” The final product also came from direct interaction with and feedback from blind and low-vision children. Blind Barbie’s clothes were designed with satiny fabric and intriguing textures to add a tactile layer of fun to the experience, while brightly colored hooks and elastic make them easy to take off. Her gaze is also “slightly up and out to accurately reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind individual,” the press release said.
