The LEGO Group - LEGO Braille Bricks: Play with Braille

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.

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In 2020, the LEGO Foundation together with blind organisations introduced LEGO braille bricks free of charge to classrooms and organizations specializing in the education of children with vision impairment. Using specially designed LEGO bricks with studs reflecting letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet, the bricks also feature printed letters, numbers, and symbols so they can be used by sighted peers and teachers in an inclusive way.  

 In 2023, we created  LEGO Braille Bricks – Play with Braille.  Our first consumer LEGO set designed for blind and partially sighted children, adults or anyone curious to learn braille.  

For blind and partially sighted children, it makes a huge difference to be able to share their journey of learning Braille with loved ones. Thus, the idea to have LEGO Braille Bricks made available to the wider public was a massive step forward to ensuring more children want to learn braille in the first place. 

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We focused on creating a product that would spark curiosity for children and their family to learn braille, and give them a platform for social inclusion and fun family moments while building pre-braille skills.  

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. 

 A significant milestone for the visually-impaired community, LEGO Braille Bricks was voted one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions 2023.