In 2020, LEGO made a groundbreaking leap in educational play with the launch of LEGO Braille Bricks—a toolkit designed to help blind and visually impaired children learn braille in a fun, collaborative way. These innovative bricks are not just a teaching tool; they are a bridge to independence, inclusion, and shared learning experiences for children of all abilities.
What Are LEGO Braille Bricks?
LEGO Braille Bricks are specially designed building blocks, each molded with studs that correspond to a letter, number, or symbol in the braille alphabet. The bricks come in five vibrant colors—white, yellow, green, red, and blue—and feature the printed version of each letter or number beneath the studs. This dual-format design ensures that both visually impaired and sighted children can play and learn together seamlessly.
Each set contains 287 bricks, two baseplates, and an orange brick separator, providing everything needed for tactile, hands-on learning. The bricks are fully compatible with all standard LEGO sets, making them easy to integrate into any child’s existing collection.
How Do They Work?
The tactile studs on each brick allow children to feel and recognize braille characters, while the printed symbols help sighted peers and family members join in the fun. This inclusive approach means that everyone—blind, partially sighted, or sighted—can build, play, and learn together, fostering collaboration and understanding.
To support learning, LEGO offers a series of free online play starters and games, such as Rock, Paper, Scissors, that teach children how to orient, attach, and stack the bricks. These activities help develop pre-braille skills and encourage group play with peers and family members.
The Journey to Launch
The concept for LEGO Braille Bricks was first proposed in 2011 by the Danish Association of the Blind and later championed by organizations in Brazil, the UK, and Norway. After years of collaboration and testing, the LEGO Foundation officially launched the toolkit in 2020, initially distributing it for free to educational institutions through partnerships with organizations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)256.
Due to overwhelming demand, LEGO made the kits available for home use in 2023, allowing families everywhere to experience the benefits of playful braille learning at home.
Impact and Reception
LEGO Braille Bricks have been celebrated as a major step forward for inclusive education. They not only make braille learning accessible and enjoyable but also help break down barriers between visually impaired children and their sighted peers. As Martine Abel-Williamson, President of the World Blind Union, noted, “For the blind community, braille is not just literacy, it’s our entry to independence and inclusion into this world, and to have LEGO Braille Bricks made available for the wider public is a massive step forward”.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- Global Collaboration: The project was developed in partnership with blind associations from Denmark, Brazil, the UK, and Norway.
- Colorful Learning: The bricks come in five colors, making them visually appealing and easy to organize.
- Dual-Language Support: The sets are currently available in English and French, with more languages on the way.
- Family-Friendly: The kits are designed for children aged six and older, making them perfect for family learning and play.
- Accessible Instructions: LEGO now offers audio and braille building instructions, inspired by blind entrepreneur Matthew Shifrin.
Conclusion
LEGO Braille Bricks are more than just a toy—they are a powerful educational tool that brings children of all abilities together. By making braille learning playful, accessible, and inclusive, LEGO is helping to build a world where every child can learn, play, and thrive—one brick at a time.
