MATTEL UNVEILS FIRST-EVER BLIND BARBIE DOLL

LONDON, July 23 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Toy company Mattel has released its first blind Barbie as part of its expanding collection of inclusive dolls.

Unveiled during Mattel's 65th anniversary year, the blind Barbie is designed to provide accessible play for children with sight loss while representing a visually impaired woman, reported PA Media/dpa news.

The doll features a cane with a marshmallow tip, sunglasses, textured and vibrant fabrics, Velcro fastenings on clothing, and elbow articulations to facilitate comfortable cane use. Additionally, the doll's eye gaze is slightly up and out to reflect the distinct eye gaze of a blind individual.

The latest Barbie doll release follows in a long line of inclusive dolls which have included a hearing loss Barbie, Down's syndrome Barbie and Barbie in a wheelchair.

Blind broadcaster and disability activist Lucy Edwards was the first blind person in the UK to meet the new Barbie.

She said: "This to me is just another step in that journey that finally we are creating a world that is made for blind young people to thrive, and if Barbie can be blind that means I can be blind and that is so important for the confidence of young people today."

Edwards, who lost the sight in her right eye at the age of 11 before losing her remaining sight at 17 due to a rare genetic condition, said it is "incredible" that a blind Barbie has been created.

She added: "I didn't see myself represented so that meant I was scared of blindness. If I had a representation that said blindness is sassy, blindness is cool, blindness is OK, then I would have been more OK with losing my vision, but it was scary."

Mattel sought the expertise of several charities, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).

Debbie Miller, from the RNIB, underlined the importance of consulting people who live with sight problems when creating products for the blind community.

She said: "I don't think it is possible to create diverse products without speaking directly to the people that are affected with those things every single day, so it is so important.

"It seems really simple but big Velcro fastenings on the backs of clothing just help so much when you have low vision or can't see details, and you can only really learn and understand that when you are speaking to those that have those lived experiences."

--BERNAMA-PA Media/dpa