A second new doll, a Black Barbie with Down syndrome, is part of the toymaker’s effort to be more inclusive.
In the decades since Barbie debuted in 1959, the doll’s plastic perfections have generated criticism for their promotion of unrealistic beauty standards. In response, Mattel has tried to create versions that are more representative of a broader range of people.
On Tuesday, the company released a Barbie designed in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind.
The doll, which comes in a pink box with Braille lettering, has its own special accessories, including a red-and-white cane with a marshmallow roller tip and sunglasses suited for light-sensitive eyes. Its satin blouse and ruffled skirt were selected after Mattel tested them for tactile satisfaction with blind and low-vision children. The doll also has bendable arms for cane use.
Lucy Edwards, a social media influencer and disability activist who lost her sight when she was 17, called the doll “gorgeous” and “glam” in an online video that showed her taking it out of the box.
“I know when I’m picking clothes as a blind woman, I just love to feel my best in different textures, just like Blind Barbie,” said Ms. Edwards, a Mattel brand ambassador.
Tameka Simmons, a disability activist in Greenville, S.C., took her blind 8-year-old daughter, Evely, to a Target store on Tuesday to pick up one of the dolls.
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