Early last year the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation announced the introduction of a unique new brick which has been inspired by Braille. The concept behind LEGO® Braille Bricks was first proposed to the LEGO Foundation in 2011 by the Danish Association of the Blind and again in 2017 by the Brazilian-based Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind. Over the last year or so the new Braille Bricks are been tested and refined. Now toolkits featuring these new bricks are been distributed for free, in select regions. The Braille Brick is based on classic 2×4 brick but the studs on the top are laid out in the same configuration has Braille bumps. The Braille Bricks kits will only be available through official partners to institutions, schools and services catering to the education of blind and visually impaired children. To find partners offering Braille Bricks click here.
The LEGO® Braille Bricks concept is a play-based methodology that teaches braille to children who are blind or have a visual impairment.
Each brick in the LEGO® Braille Bricks toolkit retains its iconic form, but unlike a regular LEGO® brick, the studs are arranged to correspond to numbers and letters in the Braille alphabet. Each brick shows the printed version of the symbol or letter, allowing sighted and blind children to play and learn together on equal terms. This ingenious combination of features opens up a whole new world of playful learning that teaches children Braille in an enjoyable and tactile environment.
With thousands of audio books and computer programs on the market today, fewer young people are learning Braille. Yet, individuals with blindness or impaired vision all over the world rely on Braille to work, study and enjoy their daily lives to the fullest. This simplistic but highly practical educational tool will teach a range of skills needed to thrive.
The LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group are behind this pioneering project that will help children with blindness or visual impairment learn Braille in a playful and engaging way using moderated LEGO bricks. We have teamed up with blind associations to develop, test and launch the concept known as LEGO® Braille Bricks.
The LEGO® Braille Bricks will be offered to select institutions, schools and services catering to the education of blind and visually impaired children. Toolkits will only be available to professionals associated with or operating such schools, institutions, education centers, etc.
