The revolutionary LEGO Braille Bricks, originally designed to assist visually impaired children, are now accessible to the public. Let’s learn more about it!
What Are Lego Braille Bricks?
What began as a gift to organizations working with visually impaired kids has evolved into a remarkable educational tool available for purchase.
Consisting of 287 bricks in five colors, each brick’s bumps mirror Braille’s letters and numbers, complemented by printed symbols underneath. These bricks seamlessly integrate with standard LEGO pieces, embodying inclusivity.
With an estimated 19 million visually impaired children globally, this innovation holds significance.
While 6.8% of U.S. children have diagnosed vision conditions, only a small fraction, 10%, of blind children learn Braille—contrasting with the over 50% rate in the 1950s. As a conduit to independence and inclusion, Braille’s importance is paramount.
The introduction of LEGO Braille Bricks to the wider public marks a significant stride, fostering enthusiasm for Braille learning. Martine Abel-Williamson, President of the World Blind Union, hails this move as pivotal for nurturing braille interest.
Priced at $90 and currently available in English and French, the kits are slated for release on September 1, with more languages to follow in the upcoming year.
Moreover, LEGO’s commitment to accessibility shines through with their promise of audio and Braille building instructions for selected sets. This endeavor cements LEGO’s role as an advocate for a more inclusive and enlightened world.
How Does Braille Work?
Braille serves as a tactile reading system, aiding individuals with visual impairments in reading. Through the sensation of touch, raised dots form discernible patterns that convey words and numbers.
Structured around six dots, reminiscent of dominoes or Lego bricks, Braille employs 63 symbols—comprising every conceivable arrangement of these dots. This versatile system accommodates numerous languages and was conceived by Louis Braille, a French innovator born in 1806.
Blinded at three years old, Braille’s ingenuity emerged at 15 when he devised this groundbreaking method, empowering countless individuals to access the written word through their sense of touch.
LEGO’s Braille Bricks promote inclusive learning, bridging gaps for visually impaired children, fostering literacy, independence, and worldwide accessibility.
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