Mattel debuts its first-ever blind Barbie | REUTERS

Reuters

23 Jul 202402:04

Summary

TLDRMattel introduces the first-ever blind Barbie doll, a significant step towards inclusivity and representation. Collaborating with organizations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the American Foundation for the Blind, Mattel has crafted a doll with a cane, textured clothing, and realistic articulation to engage the senses. This addition to the line of diverse Barbies, including those with hearing loss and Down syndrome, aims to educate and raise awareness, showing that everyone is represented and valued.

Takeaways

🎉 Barbie has introduced a new doll representing the blind community, a first in their history.
🌟 The doll is particularly significant for Lucy Edwards, a blind broadcaster and disability activist, who sees it as a representation of herself.
👧 The introduction of the blind Barbie aims to provide role models for young blind girls who previously did not see themselves represented in toys.
🤝 Toy maker Mattel collaborated with organizations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to create the doll.
📝 These organizations provided input on the doll's design, including her outfit and the accessibility of Mattel's website.
🔍 The goal is to increase awareness and understanding between the sighted and blind communities.
👓 The blind Barbie includes features such as a cane with a tactile tip, sunglasses, and textured fabrics for sensory engagement.
👗 The doll is dressed in practical clothing with fastenings that are easy to manage and articulated elbow joints for realistic cane use.
💡 This new doll is part of a series of inclusive dolls from Mattel, including those representing hearing loss, Down syndrome, and wheelchair use.
🌈 The introduction of the blind Barbie is seen as a step towards greater inclusivity and acceptance in society.
💪 For young people struggling with their identity, the blind Barbie serves as a symbol that they are enough and are represented.

Q & A

What is the significance of the first-ever blind Barbie doll for the blind community?
-The first-ever blind Barbie doll is significant for the blind community as it represents a long-awaited moment of inclusion and representation. It provides a role model for young blind girls who previously did not see themselves represented in the world of toys.
Who is Lucy Edwards and why is she excited about the blind Barbie doll?
-Lucy Edwards is a blind broadcaster and disability activist. She is excited about the blind Barbie doll because it represents a moment she had longed for, as it offers representation and visibility for blind individuals in mainstream culture.
Which organizations did Mattel collaborate with to create the blind Barbie doll?
-Mattel collaborated with several organizations dedicated to aiding the blind community, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).
What kind of input did these organizations provide for the creation of the blind Barbie doll?
-These organizations provided input on various aspects of the doll, including its outfit, the tactile cane, the company's website accessibility, and the overall design to ensure it was representative and accessible for the blind.
What is the role of Eric Bridges in this initiative?
-Eric Bridges is the CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). He believes that Barbie, as an iconic brand, having a doll like this can help educate sighted individuals about the blind community and raise awareness.
What are some of the features of the blind Barbie doll that make it accessible and representative for the blind?
-The blind Barbie doll includes a cane with a tactile marshmallow tip, sunglasses with a textured design, vibrant fabrics for sensory engagement, practical clothing fastenings, and articulated elbow joints for realistic cane use.
How does the introduction of the blind Barbie doll follow a series of inclusive dolls by Mattel?
-The blind Barbie doll is part of Mattel's series of inclusive dolls, which also includes dolls representing hearing loss, Down syndrome, and wheelchair use, showcasing the company's commitment to diversity and representation.
What message does the introduction of the blind Barbie doll convey to young people struggling with their identity?
-The introduction of the blind Barbie doll sends a message to young people, especially those with disabilities, that they are accepted, represented, and that they are enough, encouraging them to embrace their identity.
How does the blind Barbie doll contribute to the broader goal of inclusivity and representation in toys?
-The blind Barbie doll contributes to the goal of inclusivity and representation by providing a diverse range of role models for children, ensuring that all children can see themselves reflected in the toys they play with.
What is the potential impact of the blind Barbie doll on the perception of the blind community by the sighted community?
-The blind Barbie doll has the potential to positively impact the perception of the blind community by the sighted community by increasing understanding, empathy, and awareness of the experiences and capabilities of blind individuals.
What does the creation of the blind Barbie doll say about the evolving role of toys in promoting diversity and inclusion?
-The creation of the blind Barbie doll indicates that toys are increasingly being recognized as important tools for promoting diversity and inclusion, reflecting societal changes and the need for representation in all aspects of life, including play.

Outlines

00:00

🤩 Introduction to the First-Ever Blind Barbie

The script introduces the first-ever blind Barbie doll, a significant moment for blind community representation. Lucy Edwards, a blind broadcaster and disability activist, expresses her excitement for finally seeing a role model that looks like her. The doll was created in collaboration with organizations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), which provided input on the doll's design, outfit, and accessible website. The script highlights the importance of representation and the educational potential of the doll, which includes a tactile cane, textured sunglasses, and sensory-engaging fabrics, aiming to raise awareness and understanding between the blind and sighted communities.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Barbie

Barbie is a brand of fashion dolls manufactured by the American toy company Mattel, Inc. It is a cultural icon and has been a role model for many children since its creation in 1959. In the context of the video, Barbie represents the brand's effort to create a more inclusive line of dolls that reflect diverse identities and experiences.

💡Blind Barbie doll

The term 'Blind Barbie doll' refers to a new edition of the Barbie doll designed to represent individuals with visual impairments. This doll is significant as it provides representation for blind children and promotes inclusivity and awareness about the blind community.

💡Lucy Edwards

Lucy Edwards is a blind broadcaster and disability activist mentioned in the script. She represents the target audience for whom the blind Barbie doll is intended, and her reaction to the doll highlights the importance of representation for individuals with disabilities.

💡Representation

Representation in this context refers to the portrayal or depiction of a particular group or individual in media and popular culture. The video emphasizes the importance of representation for blind individuals, as it helps them see themselves in the world and feel included.

💡Role model

A role model is a person who serves as an example, whose behavior, abilities, or values are emulated by others. In the script, Lucy Edwards expresses her desire for a role model that looked like her when she was growing up, highlighting the significance of the blind Barbie doll as a role model for blind children.

💡Disability activist

A disability activist is someone who advocates for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities. Lucy Edwards is identified as a disability activist in the script, and her advocacy work is connected to the broader theme of the video, which is about inclusivity and representation for people with disabilities.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration in this script refers to the partnership between toy maker Mattel and several organizations dedicated to aiding the blind community. This collaboration is crucial as it ensures that the blind Barbie doll is accurately and sensitively designed with input from those who understand the needs and experiences of the blind community.

💡Royal National Institute of Blind People

The Royal National Institute of Blind People is one of the organizations that collaborated with Mattel to create the blind Barbie doll. It is a UK-based charity that supports blind and partially sighted people, and its involvement in the project underscores the importance of expert consultation in the design process.

💡American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

The American Foundation for the Blind is another organization that provided input on the creation of the blind Barbie doll. As the CEO of AFB, Eric Bridges, is quoted in the script, emphasizing the educational and awareness-raising potential of the doll for both the blind and sighted communities.

💡Inclusive

Inclusive in this context means designed to include or accommodate people with a range of abilities and disabilities. The script mentions several inclusive dolls, such as the hearing loss Barbie, Down syndrome Barbie, and Barbie in a wheelchair, which are part of Mattel's broader initiative to create a diverse and inclusive line of dolls.

💡Tactile

Tactile refers to the sense of touch, and in the script, it is used to describe the cane with a 'tactile marshmallow tip' included with the blind Barbie doll. This feature is designed to provide a sensory experience for blind children, allowing them to interact with the doll in a way that is meaningful to them.

💡Sensory engagement

Sensory engagement is the process of stimulating the senses to create a more immersive or interactive experience. The blind Barbie doll incorporates textured and vibrant fabrics to engage the senses of blind children, making the play experience more inclusive and enjoyable.

💡Practical clothing fastenings

Practical clothing fastenings refer to the design elements of the doll's clothing that allow for realistic dressing and undressing. This feature is important for the blind Barbie doll as it provides an opportunity for children to practice and understand the concept of dressing, which is a part of daily life for everyone, including those with visual impairments.

💡Articulated elbow joints

Articulated elbow joints are a design feature that allows the doll's arms to move and bend in a realistic manner. This feature is significant for the blind Barbie doll as it enhances the play experience by making the doll more lifelike and allowing for a greater range of movements, which can be particularly important for children who rely on touch to understand the world around them.

Highlights

Introduction of the first-ever blind Barbie doll by Mattel.

Lucy Edwards, a blind broadcaster and disability activist, expresses her excitement for the representation of blind girls.

The importance of having role models that look like oneself for young blind girls.

Collaboration between toy maker and Mattel with organizations dedicated to aiding the blind community.

Involvement of the Royal National Institute of blind people and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in the doll's creation.

Accessibility improvements on the company's website for the blind community.

The need for awareness and understanding between the sighted and blind communities.

Eric Bridges, CEO of AFB, discusses the educational and awareness benefits of the Barbie doll.

Inclusive design features of the blind Barbie doll, including a cane, textured sunglasses, and vibrant fabrics.

Practical clothing fastenings and articulated elbow joints for realistic cane use.

Mattel's history of creating inclusive dolls, including those representing hearing loss, Down syndrome, and wheelchair use.

The significance of representation for individuals with disabilities and the impact on identity struggles.

A message of empowerment to young people struggling with their identity, emphasizing self-acceptance.

The blind Barbie doll as a symbol of progress towards a more inclusive society.

The doll's role in fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of inadequacy among the blind community.