Mattel, the popular toy manufacturer, is investing further in board game accessibility. The company best known for Uno, Apples to Apples, and Blokus, has committed to making 80% of their games catalog colorblind-accessible by the end of 2024.
The Mattel Board Game Accessibility Commitment
According to a report by Polygon Mattel’s investment in colorblind board game accessibility was announced on Tuesday. The inaugural run of accessible games will include versions of Uno, Tumblin’ Monkeys, Phase-10, Ker Plunk, and Blokus. These versions will provide symbols associated with colors, tactile clues, and patterns.
Furthermore, Mattel will donate $30k worth of these colorblind-accessible games to summer camps across the United States through the YMCA.
Mattel’s official store page provides additional context for this board game accessibility push. It cites a report by the Cleveland Clinic which states that 300 million people around the world have some form of colorblindness.
According to Mattel Vice President and Global Head of Games Ray Adler, the company partnered with several experts in the color deficiency field and consulted with colorblind individuals. This is consistent with the company’s partnership with ColorADD to make colorblind Uno in 2017, as well as Uno Braille for the visually impaired in 2019.
Mattel plans to make 80% of their game catalog colorblind-accessible by the end of 2024. Moving forward, it expects 90% of its catalog will be colorblind-accessible by the end of 2025.
All future titles with this change will have a “colorblind accessible” symbol printed on the box. If you play mobile versions of Mattel’s games through Mattel163 app, similar updates will be implemented.
Mattel’s push for colorblind accessibility is part of similar movements in the tabletop industry. Back in 2022, Asmodee launched Access+, a studio dedicated to adapting board games for players with cognitive disabilities. Earlier this year, Paizo launched the All Ages label for their Pathfinder products, providing age-appropriate entertainment.
