SUMMARY:

Literacy is highly valued worldwide, and learning Braille is crucial for individuals with visual impairments to access information and participate fully in society. 

However, traditional methods of teaching Braille can be rigid and less engaging for children. LEGO's decision to develop Braille Bricks recognizes the importance of making Braille learning more interactive and enjoyable, leveraging the cultural significance of play in childhood development. 

Moreover, in an increasingly digital world, where screen time often dominates children's activities, the importance of tactile and hands-on learning experiences is being emphasized. By introducing Braille Bricks at this particular moment, LEGO responds to the need for innovative educational tools that cater to diverse learning styles and abilities. 

By combining the power of play with the importance of literacy, LEGO demonstrates its commitment to making play and learning accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities. 

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BACKGROUND: 

For the blind community, braille is not just literacy, it’s the entry to independence and inclusion into this world. Only 24% of people who are blind or visually impaired are employed, and of these, the majority have braille skills. However, only an estimated 7% of can read braille.  

One thing that is missing to teach Braille is something that young children can start with. This affects the 19 million children globally who are vision impaired. 

This is where LEGO® Braille Bricks come in. Since 2020, the LEGO Foundation has distributed LEGO Braille Bricks free of charge to organizations specializing in the education of children with vision impairment.  

While this was met with overwhelming and positive response globally, it was not available for purchase to the public. This meant that many children and families who want to learn braille through play lacked access to the product. 

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HOW IT WORKS:

LEGO® Braille Bricks – Play with Braille – is our carefully researched and designed brick kit to help people of all ages perfect their braille skills, in the most fun way possible. 

It is aimed at kids aged 6+ and has been designed so that anyone who is curious about braille, be they blind, partially-sighted or sighted, can have fun getting to know the braille system at home with their family members in a playful, inclusive way. 

Each of the 287 LEGO Braille Bricks is moulded with studs to depict a different letter or number in the braille alphabet, allowing sighted and visually impaired kids to play and learn together on equal terms. These specialty bricks are fully compatible with existing LEGO bricks.  

To further complement the play experience and support pre-braille skill development, a digital experience consisting of a series play starters teach players how to orient, attach, and stack the bricks through popular games such as 'Rock, Paper, Scissors.' 

The LEGO Group also partnered with the free mobile app Be My Eyes, where LEGO Customer Service colleagues will provide confidential, live visual assistance through the app covering support including unboxing to general product support.