For the first time, Lego is introducing Braille Bricks in English and French, making them available for purchase.
While we’re all familiar with the colorful Lego bricks, Lego Braille Bricks have a unique twist. They are designed to assist blind children and individuals with visual impairments in learning to read letters and numbers through touch.
These special bricks feature braille characters, which are patterns of raised dots that can be read by touch. Since 2020, children have been learning and playing with Lego’s Braille Bricks in select schools and organizations. However, the overwhelming interest led Lego to make them accessible for home use.
Olivia, who lost her vision at a young age, had the opportunity to learn braille through Lego at her school. The Braille Bricks ignited her curiosity for braille, enabling her to explore the world through sensory touch. Olivia’s mother, Lisa, shared that these bricks allowed Olivia to engage with learning just like any other child, bridging the gap between accessibility and inclusivity.
Another young enthusiast, Reece, has been using the Braille Bricks to teach his family members. He successfully introduced his mother and sister to braille, a rewarding experience for him as he empowered his loved ones with a new skill.
The President of the World Blind Union emphasized the significance of shared learning experiences for visually impaired individuals. He noted, “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.”
Lego is excited to make these colorful educational tools available for everyone, allowing children to have fun while becoming familiar with the braille system within the comfort of their homes. This initiative highlights the power of innovation and inclusion, transforming the way we learn and play.
This is amazing! Great work LEGO!