LEGO is undertaking a new project to benefit blind children. The company will use its building blocks to help teach the Braille alphabet to blind and visually impaired children.
The product will be molded with the same number of pegs used for individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet. To ensure the tool is inclusive, each block will also have a letter or character printed on it.
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This ingenious combination brings a whole new approach to blind and visually impaired children interested in learning braille. This will help train and develop a wide range of skills needed by people with visual impairments.
“With thousands of audiobooks and computer programs now available, fewer children are learning to read Braille,” said Philippe Chazal, Treasurer of the European Blind Union.
“This is particularly critical when we know that Braille users are generally more independent. They have a higher level of education and better job opportunities.
“We strongly believe that “LEGO Braille Bricks” can help to increase the level of interest in learning braille. We are delighted that the LEGO Foundation is making it possible to expand this concept and bring it to children around the world,” added Chazal.
Project and Launch
The LEGO Foundation and The LEGO Group unveiled the pioneering design at the Sustainable Brands Conference in Paris, France. The concept behind “LEGO Braille Bricks” was first proposed in 2011. Since then, it has been shaped in close collaboration between blind associations in Denmark, Brazil, the UK and Norway.
The first prototypes are being tested in these same countries for concept tests. The “LEGO Braille Bricks” kit is expected to be released in 2020. It will be distributed free of charge to selected institutions through partner networks.
It will contain approximately 250 LEGO Braille Bricks. The product will cover the full alphabet, numbers 0-9, selected math symbols, and inspiration for teaching and interactive games.