Credits: Social Media
Blind woman cried after meeting visually impaired Barbie doll for first time
Mattel has changed the game once again with the world’s first blind Barbie doll, reducing one woman to tears after she lost her eyesight at the age of 17.
Though most would associate the Barbie brand with the typical blonde, skinny, woman we all know and love, Mattel has worked hard over the last few years to provide a more inclusive range. Now, consumers can purchase a variety of differently abled Barbie dolls including, but not limited to, Barbie with Down Syndrome and Ken in a wheelchair.
Barbie is blind and fabulous
Partnering with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Mattel set out to create a doll for visually impaired people. That new Barbie was released today.
Though Barbie is now designed to represent visually impaired people, Mattel also wanted to make playtime more enjoyable for people who can’t necessarily see what they are playing with. As such, Barbie’s clothes are designed in high-contrast colors with ultra-textured material.
Barbie comes equipped with her usual brand of style, though with added extras like a cane and dark glasses. Barbie’s eyes have also been altered to better reflect the gaze of some visually impaired people.
The new doll seems to have gone down a treat with fans online, as one penned: “It’s wonderful & vital that Disabled People are reflected in culture, toys, products, Society generally & everything around us.”
“Okayyy were finally getting the black Barbie with Down syndrome and were also getting a blind Barbie that comes with a white cane. Her outfit is gorgeous might have to get 2 of her,” another person wrote.
One woman was reduced to tears
If you need an example of why representation matters to minority communities, you need only look at Lucy Edwards’ reaction to Mattel’s new blind Barbie.
“As a teenager, I felt isolated by losing my eyesight and not seeing role models like me,” she told the BBC. “I was embarrassed by my cane but knowing Barbie had a cane would have made me feel so differently about mine and helped me feel less alone on my journey to accept and embrace my blindness.”
The Broadcaster and disability activist was the UK’s ambassador to the new Barbie, and upon finding out, she burst into tears.
“12 years later, finally, on someone else’s day one, when they’re losing their eyesight, they can see themselves in the most popular doll in the world,” she told BBC Radio 2.
