Hi Barbie! Toy company Mattel has released the first blind Barbie (which comes with a cane with a marshmallow tip) during its 65th anniversary year.
The latest Barbie doll announcement follows in a long line of inclusive dolls which have included a hearing loss Barbie, Down’s syndrome Barbie and Barbie in a wheelchair.
It has features that allow accessible play for children with sight loss as well as representing a visually impaired woman.
The Barbie also has sunglasses, textured and vibrant fabrics, Velcro fastenings on clothing, and elbow articulations to ensure comfortable cane use.
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Additionally, the doll has been designed with an eye gaze facing slightly up and out to reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind individual.
'If Barbie can be blind that means I can be blind' says disability activist Lucy Edwards
Blind broadcaster and disability activist Lucy Edwards was the first blind person in the UK to meet the new Barbie.
She said: “This to me is just another step in that journey that finally we are creating a world that is made for blind young people to thrive, and if Barbie can be blind that means I can be blind and that is so important for the confidence of young people today.”
Ms Edwards, who lost the sight in her right eye at the age of 11 before losing her remaining sight at 17 due to a rare genetic condition, said it is “incredible” that a blind Barbie has been created.
She added: “I didn’t see myself represented so that meant I was scared of blindness. If I had a representation that said blindness is sassy, blindness is cool, blindness is OK, then I would have been more OK with losing my vision, but it was scary.”
Mattel sought the expertise of a number of charities, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).
Recommended reading:
- Dame Helen Mirren 'blown away' by her new Barbie doll - complete with mini Oscar
- How to get Barbie's first Down's syndrome doll in the UK
- Are you Barbie or are you 'just Ken'? Come party with our ultimate Barbie quiz
Debbie Miller, from the RNIB, underlined the importance of consulting people who live with sight problems when creating products for the blind community.
She commented: “I don’t think it is possible to create diverse products without speaking directly to the people that are affected with those things every single day, so it is so important.
“It seems really simple but big Velcro fastenings on the backs of clothing just help so much when you have low vision or can’t see details, and you can only really learn and understand that when you are speaking to those that have those lived experiences.”
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