Focal Point
Blind Barbie Makes Big Splash After Summer Release
“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.
The Barbie Fashionista line of dolls is dedicated to promoting representation and inclusion across the Barbie product line. Mattel had released dolls in prior years representing individuals with other types of disabilities, and Blind Barbie would be the newest addition to the Barbie universe.
“It was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the development of the Blind Barbie doll,” said Eric Bridges, AFB President & CEO. “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.”
The project took over a year and received input from multiple AFB teams. From guidance from AFB’s research team on the look and feel of the doll to AFB’s Client Services providing WCAG 2.0 consultation for all digital assets, AFB worked with Mattel throughout the process.
The doll’s release coincided with another new addition to the Fashionista line, a Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome. News of the release quickly traveled around the world, gaining over one billion impressions globally during the first 24 hours of the product launch.
“As we move into the holiday shopping season, it’s exciting to know that Blind Barbie will be found playing with her friends in countless households of both sighted and blind children across the globe,” said Tony Stephens, assistant vice-president for communications at AFB. “This is what inclusion means, and AFB has been an honor to work with Mattel on such a historic launch.”
On the Horizon
Ford Foundation Grant Elevates Digital Inclusion Research and Advocacy
We are excited to share the news of a generous $150,000 grant from the Ford Foundation's Tech and Society program. This funding will enable AFB's Public Policy and Research Institute (PPRI) to continue producing pioneering research and education on digital inclusion in emerging technology.
“During these transformative times, the foundation’s support will be a significant milestone for our organization, allowing us to dive deeper in our research to bolster a more inclusive world for people with disabilities,” said Eric Bridges, AFB President and CEO. “It comes at an exciting point in our history as we look at how new technologies like artificial intelligence will impact the broader disability community and allow us to provide guidance for advocates, policymakers, and industry leaders.”
The Ford Foundation’s commitment to equal opportunity and human welfare fits well within AFB’s new strategic plan. A key goal of this plan is to provide thought leadership on critical issues impacting accessibility and the full and equal inclusion of people with disabilities in society, including the 50 million Americans who experience some degree of blindness or low vision.
As the digital age continues to transform every aspect of modern life, AFB is committed to providing technology developers, the business community, and government leaders with actionable information about accessibility and technology risks informed by high-quality research. Through September 2025, the funding will support ongoing research and outreach on Artificial Intelligence and a special issue of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness. PPRI will provide reports, briefings, and webinars throughout the year to update stakeholders and consumers on the research findings.
AFB Spotlight
AFB Summer Interns Bolster Inclusion Across Digital Landscape
This summer, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) welcomed 19 college students who took part in AFB’s inaugural Digital Accessibility Bootcamp. Hailing from 15 colleges and universities across the country, the interns expanded their skills as software and content developers and paved the way for a future workforce that values digital inclusion.
“This bootcamp has been a wonderful experience, and I can confidently say that it is creating the people who will shape the future of digital accessibility, Said Andara Noble, a student at Western Colorado University. “I started this bootcamp with nearly no knowledge of digital accessibility, but as we’re nearing the end, I feel as if I’ve been educated enough to ensure that digital accessibility has a place in my future career.”
The latest program to launch under AFB’s innovative workforce development program known as the AFB Talent Lab, this newly revamped internship program provides hands-on experience in mastering digital accessibility best practices. Students also were mentored by accessibility experts. This, coupled with four of the 19 students also having lived experience as someone who is blind or has low vision, further deepened the cohort’s understanding of the problems that exist around digital inclusion and accessibility.
The AFB Talent Lab was established several years ago to bolster the next generation of accessibility-savvy software engineers who not only know how to fix problems but can also become evangelists for greater digital inclusion.
“The redesigned structure of the AFB's Bootcamp program allows us to reach more students and help them build a strong foundation in accessibility skills,” said AFB software engineer Syed Hassan. “By equipping them with these skills, we are bridging the knowledge gap to boost their career prospects while also playing a crucial role in building a more inclusive and accessible digital world for everyone.”
Hassan, who focuses on digital inclusion software development for AFB, also serves as the lead mentor for the interns. As a blind software engineer, he brings real-life experiences to the lessons learned for each intern.
“It's inspiring to see such strong interest from students in this field, and I'm very excited to be part of this program and contribute to shaping the next generation of developers and designers who prioritize inclusivity in their work,” Hassan added. “The impact of this program will reach far beyond the classroom as these students go on to create more inclusive and accessible experiences, and we’re eager to see how they apply the knowledge and skills they've gained during this summer.”
AFB Showcase
AFB Documentary Film Expands Positive Perceptions on Blindness
The AFB documentary film Possibilities continues to gain traction as screenings and festival accolades bring an authentic portrayal of blindness to audiences across the globe.
In the weeks leading up to the Google Screening, Melody Goodspeed, who also served as a producer on the project, was joined by the film’s executive producer, Scott Tennant, for a special screening at the Champion Film Salon in Point Pleasant, Texas. The international film festival focuses on empowering voices from the disability community, and both Goodspeed and Tennant were on hand to receive the festival’s medal for best picture.
Other milestones in recent months include recognition as the best disability film at the Power 24 International Film Festival in Durban, South Africa, and recognition as a semi-finalist at the Istanbul Movie Awards, which offered an opportunity to spotlight talent like Kemal Gorey, the Istanbul based composer who assisted Stephen Letnes with the film’s musical score. Both Letnes and Gorey are among the many talent who are blind or have low vision who also contributed to the film’s production.
“We’re thankful to all those who have recognized the power that storytelling can play in changing the perception of people with disabilities,” said Tony Stephens, AFB Assistant Vice President for communications. Stephens, who served as a producer on the film, had the opportunity to lead a panel at the 2024 AFB Leadership Conference following a public screening in Minneapolis.
The film has now been accepted into 13 festivals spanning seven countries, including screenings this November at the Hungarian Disability Film Festival in Budapest and the Bridges International Film Festival in Greece, where AFB’s Tony Stephens, who also served as a producer on the film, will travel to present a panel following the film’s screening on November 19th. Information on these screenings and other upcoming events can be found on the film’s page at www.afb.org/possibilities.
Cornerstone
AFB Welcomes New Chief Development Officer
Prior to joining AFB, she served as the director for development and communications at the Overbook School in Pennsylvania. Before her role at Overbook, she led development for the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). A four-time Paralympian and gold medal winner in track and field, Pam was inducted into the USABA Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Pam has demonstrated on a global stage the highest caliber of teamwork and leadership, qualities that will play a significant role as AFB expands its impact and reach in our second century of work,” said Eric Bridges, AFB president and CEO.
Her work will include expanding AFB’s donor base, and she has already taken the lead with our newly formed partnership with FreeWill, an online giving platform that bolsters planned giving and offers additional ways individuals can contribute to AFB’s long-term sustainability.
Off the AFB Newsstand
JVIB Stimulates New Research and Innovative Practices
The Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (JVIB) remains one of AFB’s flagship publications, and we wanted to share some upcoming research and calls for proposals that continue to further innovation and research in the field of blindness and low vision.
This issue was guest edited by Amanda Lueck, San Francisco State University, and Corinna Bauer, Schepens Eye Research Institute and Harvard Medical School.
JVIB has recently launched another 2-year call for papers.
The focus of this latest call for papers will comprise Communication, Language, and Literacy for Individuals with Visual Impairments or Deafblindness Who Have Complex Support Needs. Guest editors for this special issue include Christopher Brum, San Diego State University, and Susan Bruce, Boston College. The deadline for research and practice submissions for this issue is February 28, 2026.
In addition to this call for papers, JVIB is still seeking submissions on Advancements and Innovations in Technology for Individuals with Visual Impairments for a 2025 special issue guest edited by Stacy Kelly, Northern Illinois University, with a February 28, 2025 deadline.
You can view all the journal’s calls for papers at www.afb.org/jvib-calls-papers.
