Mattel Introduces First Blind Barbie Doll And A New One With Down Syndrome

Image courtesy of Mattel

Barbie’s Dreamhouse is getting dreamier and more diverse. Two new additions to the Barbie Fashionistas line are shattering stereotypes—a blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome—inviting more children to see themselves reflected in their playtime.

First up, let’s meet the new visually impaired Barbie. Teaming up with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), Mattel aimed to keep every detail, from the doll’s gaze and sculpt to the packaging, faithful to individuals with blindness or low vision. 

Image courtesy of Mattel

The character comes with a white and red cane featuring a marshmallow tip and stylish, functional sunglasses that protect against light sensitivity. Her elbow articulations are specially designed for comfortable cane use, and her outfit includes tactile, textured fabrics that were tested with blind and low-vision children to ensure a satisfying play experience.

Image courtesy of Mattel

Image courtesy of Mattel

Mattel even incorporated braille into the packaging to enhance accessibility.

Image courtesy of Mattel

Building on last year’s success with the first-ever Barbie with Down syndrome, Barbie partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to create a Black counterpart. This edition reflects the beautiful diversity of the Down syndrome community, with details like a shorter frame, braided hair, and a blue and yellow color palette referencing Down syndrome awareness. Her outfit even features a subtle nod to the 21st chromosome with three arrows incorporated into some of the hearts on her dress.

Images via Mattel

“We recognize that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging,” notes Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls. “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.”

Image via Mattel

Image via Mattel

The Barbie Fashionistas line now comprises over 175 dolls representing a wide range of ethnicities, abilities, and body types. By imagining themselves in the shoes of others, kids can develop the social intelligence they’ll need to thrive in the future.

The 2024 dolls, including the blind Barbie and Black Barbie with Down syndrome, are available now for US$10.99.

[via Mattel, images courtesy]