[NFBOH-Cleveland] BarbieR Introduces the First Blind Barbie Fashionista Doll and Black Barbie Fashionista Doll

Thu Jul 25 14:55:41 UTC 2024

Released as part of this year's global Barbie Fashionistas lineup, Barbie
partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind and National Down
Syndrome Society to ensure doll designs accurately reflect the community
they are designed to represent

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 23rd, 2024 - Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced
today the addition of a blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie doll with Down
syndrome, created to allow even more children to find a doll that represents
them and inspire all children to tell more stories through play.

"We recognize that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents
self-expression and can create a sense of belonging," said 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."

Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), an
organization dedicated to creating a world of endless possibilities for
individuals with blindness and low vision, to ensure details of the blind
Barbie doll, including face sculpt, fashion, accessories, packaging
experience, and e-commerce communication, accurately depict individuals with
blindness or low vision.

Counseled by AFB, Barbie was committed to represent individuals with
blindness and low vision throughout all stages of the design process, from
the doll's sculpt to the dress pattern:

*	Accessories: The doll comes with a white and red cane with an
identifiable marshmallow tip and includes stylish and functional sunglasses.
With some blind or low-vision individuals sensitive to light, the lens
provides additional eye protection.
*	Elbow Articulations: The blind Barbie doll includes elbow
articulations to ensure comfortable cane use.
*	Textured and Vibrant Fabrics: Barbie conducted testing with blind
and low-vision children to ensure that the doll provided an accessible and
satisfying play experience for kids with blindness or low vision. With AFB's
guidance, Barbie designed the doll's fashion to include a satiny pink blouse
with a textured ruffle skirt for tactile interest. Additional details
include a brightly colored high-contrast hook and loop fasteners for closure
on the back of the doll's top, as well as an elastic skirt waistband to make
swapping outfits easier.
*	Packaging and Design: Barbie worked with AFB to create accessible
packaging for the doll, including the placement and writing of 'Barbie' in
braille on the package.
*	Eye Gaze: The doll is designed with an eye gaze facing slightly up
and out to accurately reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind
individual.

"It was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the development of the blind
Barbie doll," said Eric Bridges, CEO and President, American Foundation for
the Blind. "By increasing representation and promoting awareness about the
experiences of blind individuals and those with low vision, our shared goal
is to inspire boundless opportunities for everyone, ultimately leading to a
world of greater accessibility and inclusion."

In 2023 Barbie introduced the first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome,
which won the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year award
presented by the Toy Association. This year, Barbie once again partnered
with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to introduce its next doll
with Down syndrome to the Barbie Fashionistas 2024 lineup. Throughout all
stages of the design process, Barbie and NDSS worked together to ensure the
Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome accurately reflected and resonated with
members of the Down syndrome community. NDSS connected Barbie with a focus
group of Black individuals from the Down syndrome community, including a
young Black woman with Down syndrome, to review the doll's sculpt, hair,
fashion and glasses:

*	Sculpt: Barbie collaborated with the NDSS to accurately represent
physical characteristics of people with Down syndrome including a shorter
frame, longer torso and low muscle tone. Additionally, the doll's palms
include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with
Down syndrome. Special care was put into the face sculpt, featuring a
rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge. The eyes are slightly
slanted in an almond shape while white dots can be seen in the iris.
*	Hair: The doll has a braided hair texture which was one of the key
features asked from the Black Down syndrome community.
*	Fashion: Symbols are incorporated throughout the doll's outfit, and
the blue and yellow color palette represents Down syndrome awareness. The
three arrows in some of the hearts on the dress, represent the third 21st
chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have.
*	Glasses: The doll also wears pink eyeglasses, representing
individuals with Down syndrome who often experience difficulties with their
vision.

"NDSS is thrilled to introduce a second Barbie doll with Down syndrome.
Having this doll launched alongside the new Barbie doll with Blindness marks
another important step in expanding representation for the disability
community," said Kandi Pickard, President and CEO, NDSS. "We are proud to
partner with Barbie as they grow to reflect our diverse and beautiful
world."

"We are delighted to introduce these dolls in partnership with the American
Foundation for the Blind and National Down Syndrome Society to further our
mission for every young girl to feel represented and celebrated through
Barbie." Berger continued.

Doll play has proven to help develop empathy and social processing skills
among children, fueling social skills needed to excel in their futures as
they imagine they can be anything. As the brand's most diverse doll line,
the Barbie Fashionistas series offers more than 175+ looks in a variety of
skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities
and fashions. This includes dolls with vitiligo, dolls that use a wheelchair
or a prosthetic limb, a doll with hearing aids and a doll without hair. The
2024 Fashionistas dolls aim to advance Barbie's continued goal of reflecting
a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion, allowing more children to
see their world reflected through play.

The 2024 Fashionistas dolls, including the blind Barbie doll and Black
Barbie doll with Down syndrome, are available online now and in store this
Summer at major retailers for $10.99.

<https://shop.mattel.com/products/barbie-fashionistas-doll-in-partnership-wi
th-the-american-foundation-for-the-blind-hrh17> Learn More on Mattel.com

  _____  

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest
catalogs of children's and family entertainment franchises in the world. We
create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and
develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of
iconic brands, including BarbieR, Hot WheelsR, Fisher-PriceR, American
GirlR, Thomas & FriendsR, UNOR, Masters of the UniverseR, Monster HighR and
MEGAR, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or
license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings
include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music,
and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available
in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world's leading retail
and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a
trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood
and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com
<https://www.mattel.com/> .

About the American Foundation for the Blind

Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) creates equal
opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind,
or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic
partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment &
Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive,
honoring the legacy of our most famous ambassador who worked at AFB for over
40 years. Learn more at www.afb.org <https://afb.org/> .

About NDSS

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights
organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS empowers
individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing resources,
driving policy change, engaging with local communities, and shaping public
perceptions. Founded in 1979, NDSS supports and advocates for the Down
syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources
& Support, Policy & Advocacy and Community Engagement. Within these focus
areas NDSS engages in various activities, events and programs on topics that
are critical to our community such as federal and state advocacy and public
policy, health and wellness, education and employment. NDSS creates
resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families and
caregivers across the lifespan and hosts community events throughout the
country including the National Buddy WalkR Program, the Times Square Video
presentation and New York City Buddy WalkR, Racing for 3.21 for World Down
Syndrome Day, Run for 3.21, and various other events. Visit
<https://ndss.org/>  www.ndss.org for more information.

  _____  

News Media

Devin Tucker devin.tucker at mattel.com <mailto:devin.tucker at mattel.com> 

Aly Lloyd Aly.lloyd at mattel.com <mailto:Aly.lloyd at mattel.com> 

Next
<https://afb.org/news-publications/press-room/press-release-archive/press-re
lease-2024/phase-2-study-bdis>  > AFB Releases Phase 2 Study of Barriers to
Digital Inclusion

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Press Release 2024
<https://afb.org/news-publications/press-room/press-release-archive/press-re
lease-2024> 

*
<https://afb.org/news-publications/press-room/press-release-archive/press-re
lease-2024/blind-barbie> BarbieR Introduces First Blind Barbie Fashionista
Doll
*
<https://afb.org/news-publications/press-room/press-release-archive/press-re
lease-2024/phase-2-study-bdis> AFB Releases Phase 2 Study of Barriers to
Digital Inclusion
*
<https://afb.org/news-publications/press-room/press-release-archive/press-re
lease-2024/2024hkaa-ceremony-celebrates-media-inclusion> 2024 Helen Keller
Achievement Awards Ceremony Celebrates Media Inclusion
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