LEGO unveiled a new pilot project aimed at helping blind and visually impaired children learn Braille in a "playful and engaging way."
LEGO "Braille Bricks" will use the bumps on their iconic bricks to help teach the Braille alphabet. The bricks will be moulded with the same number of studs used for individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet, while remaining fully compatible with the LEGO System in Play.
To ensure the tool is inclusive allowing sighted teachers, students and family members to interact on equal terms, each brick will also feature a printed letter or character.
This ingenious combination brings a whole new approach to getting blind and visually impaired children interested in learning Braille, enabling them to develop a breadth of skills needed to thrive and succeed.
“With thousands of audiobooks and computer programs now available, fewer kids are learning to read Braille,” said Philippe Chazal, Treasurer of the European Blind Union. “This is particularly critical when we know that Braille users often are more independent, have a higher level of education and better employment opportunities.
“We strongly believe LEGO Braille Bricks can help boost the level of interest in learning Braille, so we’re thrilled that the LEGO Foundation is making it possible to further this concept and bring it to children around the world,” added Chazal.
The LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group unveiled the pioneering project earlier this week at the Sustainable Brands Conference in Paris, France.
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