Lego creating Braille bricks for blind children

Popular toy company Lego recently announced that it would be creating custom bricks intended to help visually impaired children learn to read Braille.

The company announced in a press release late last month that it has worked closely with blind associations from all over the world to develop prototypes of the Braille bricks that are now being used for concept testing.

The Braille bricks created by Lego will have the same number of studs on top that correspond with individual letters of the Braille alphabet. Each brick will also include a printed letter so family members and teachers can assist visually impaired students as they learn.

{mosads}Additionally, the new set of Braille blocks will still be compatible with other Lego sets.

Philippe Chazal, Treasurer of the European Blind Union, said in the press release that less visually impaired children are learning to read in Braille due to the advent of audio books and computer programs now available.

“We strongly believe LEGO Braille Bricks can help boost the level of interest in learning Braille, so we’re thrilled that the LEGO Foundation is making it possible to further this concept and bring it to children around the world,” he said.

Morten Bonde, Lego’s Senior Art Director, suffers from a genetic eye disorder causing him to slowly lose his vision. He said his work on the project was inspired by seeing visually impaired students desire to learn.

“The children’s level of engagement and their interest in being independent and included on equal terms in society is so evident,” he said. “I am moved to see the impact this product has on developing blind and visually impaired children’s academic confidence and curiosity already in its infant days.”

Lego’s new Braille Bricks are currently slated to enter retail stores sometime in 2020.