Lego has unveiled a project to help blind and visually impaired children learn Braille in a “playful and engaging way” amid concerns that fewer children are learning the system because of audiobooks and computer programs.
Its new “Braille Bricks” will be moulded with the same studs used for letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet. They will also feature printed characters to allow sighted teachers and family to read them.
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 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.
The project is entirely non-for-profit for all parties involved. Distribution will be handled through participating partner networks.