After four years of testing and development, LEGO has introduced Braille bricks designed to teach the Braille alphabet using the distinctive bumps on their iconic pieces. These bricks are not exclusively for blind individuals.
Each brick features Braille bumps along with printed letters and numbers, allowing everyone, including sighted individuals, to learn a new language while playing. The ‘Play with Braille’ set enhances the accessibility and enjoyment of learning Braille for all.
LEGO Braille Bricks are crafted with the same number of studs used for individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet, ensuring full compatibility with every LEGO system.
“For blind and partially sighted children, and adults for that matter, it makes all the difference if they can share their journey of learning braille with the people they love the most,” said Martine Abel-Williamson, President of World Blind Union.
“For the blind community, braille is not just literacy, it’s our entry to independence and inclusion into this world, and to have LEGO Braille Bricks made available for the wider public is a massive step forward to ensuring more children will want to learn braille in the first place.”
So far, the LEGO Foundation has provided LEGO Braille Bricks free of charge exclusively to organizations dedicated to educating visually impaired children.
Lisa Taylor, a mother of two daughters aged 7 and 4, shared that her daughter Olivia (pictured on the left below) first encountered LEGO Braille Bricks at school.
“They had such a big impact on her curiosity for braille. Before then, she found it hard to get started with the symbols. We can now play with braille together as a family and she can introduce braille to her little sister in a way they both love.”
“Braille bricks are accessible for her without being really different for other kids, so she gets to play and learn just like every other child.”
Introducing a groundbreaking addition to the LEGO lineup, specifically designed for children aged 6 and above, this new set comprises 287 bricks in five vibrant colors, accompanied by two essential baseplates for creative construction. Priced at $89.99 (79.99 GBP), this unique set is exclusively available on the official LEGO website and is presented in a specially designed box featuring braille embossing, making it accessible to a wider audience.
What sets this LEGO set apart is its meticulous attention to inclusivity and education. Every brick in this set is fully compatible with other LEGO products, ensuring seamless integration into existing collections. Notably, the studs on each brick are strategically arranged to correspond with the numbers and letters in the braille system. This innovative feature provides a tactile learning experience, allowing visually impaired children to engage with the set in a meaningful way. Additionally, beneath the braille bumps, the printed version of the corresponding symbol or letter is provided, enhancing the learning process.
To facilitate a smooth start for families, the LEGO website offers a series of engaging play starters. These interactive guides teach young players how to orient, attach, and stack the bricks using familiar and beloved games like Rock, Paper, Scissors. By integrating play with learning, LEGO encourages children to explore their creativity while honing valuable skills.
In a remarkable move toward inclusivity, the LEGO Group has partnered with the Be My Eyes mobile app, a widely used platform that connects blind and partially sighted individuals with companies for live video assistance. Through this partnership, LEGO Customer Service colleagues offer confidential, live visual assistance via the app, addressing general product inquiries and providing essential support. This collaboration not only enriches the user experience but also underscores LEGO’s commitment to making play accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or challenges.
This new LEGO set represents a significant leap in the realm of inclusive play, fostering creativity and learning for all children, including those with visual impairments. By merging innovation with education and accessibility, LEGO continues to reinforce its status as a pioneer in the toy industry, setting a commendable example for others to follow.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
