As a passionate fan of Barbie and an advocate for representation and inclusivity, I am thrilled to see Mattel taking significant strides towards expanding the Fashionistas roster with the introduction of the first blind Barbie and Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome.
Media portrayal matters, and Mattel is committed to reflecting this through new additions to their Barbie Fashionistas line. Introducing the first-ever blind and Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome.
Based on the announcement made public, the senior executive in charge of Barbie and all dolls at the company spoke up as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Dolls.
“We recognize that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging. We proudly introduce a new blind Barbie doll and Black doll with Down syndrome to our Barbie Fashionistas line, reinforcing our commitment to creating products that represent global belonging and inclusivity in the doll aisle.”
Barbie worked together with the American Foundation for the Blind in creating an authentic blind Barbie doll, ensuring accurate representation of the blind community. Mattel approached the launch of their first blind Barbie doll with great care.
The American Foundation for the Blind, established in 1921, focuses on three main areas: education, job opportunities, and issues related to aging for the blind community.
Based on the announced statement from the American Foundation for the Blind’s leadership, the CEO and president made the following comments.
“It was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the development of the blind Barbie doll. By increasing representation and promoting awareness about the experiences of the blind individuals and those with low vision, our shared goal to inspire boundless opportunities for everyone, ultimately leading to a world of greater accessibility and inclusion.”
The Barbie Fashionistas Collection works to promote representation and diversity, providing more than 175 different appearances with a range of skin tones, hair shades and styles, disabilities, eye colors, and body shapes.
The assortment includes Barbie dolls representing diverse abilities and conditions. Some have hearing aids, others use wheelchairs, one sports a prosthetic limb, while some have vitiligo or no hair.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that Barbie dolls from the past have stirred up controversy due to their stereotypical appearances and unrealistic body types. However, Mattel has been making efforts to challenge these norms by introducing a wider range of dolls with more diverse looks and shapes, reflecting the true diversity of the human population.
Barbie aims to create designs of her dolls that make every child feel included and recognized by Mattel. Over time, the image of Barbie has evolved beyond its initial stereotypical representation, reflecting a greater range of diversity. The Barbie Fashionista collection is particularly noteworthy in this regard, showcasing an extensive variety of dolls that symbolizes Mattel’s commitment to inclusivity and conveying the message that there’s a doll for every child and that they matter.
Mattel works hard to ensure that as Barbie evolves, children around the world can find a version of the doll that resonates with them and fosters a meaningful connection.
The blind Barbie doll and the Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome are available for $10.99.
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2024-07-26 18:14