Lego Launches Braille Construction Set

Lego will release a mass-market construction set with Braille font to help children with visual impairments learn to read.

This was reported by the official Lego website.

"Play with Braille Font" is aimed at children aged 6 and above and is designed in such a way that anyone interested in Braille, regardless of whether they are blind, visually impaired, or sighted, can have fun while getting acquainted with the Braille system at home with their family members in a playful and inclusive manner",- the announcement states.

The round "dots" on the inclusive Lego bricks are arranged according to the Braille font and letters. In addition, printed instructions are provided where a symbol or letter is placed directly under the corresponding brick. The set is fully compatible with other Lego series.

It is noted that the release of the construction set on the market will be dedicated to the "World Blind People Awareness Month," which will take place in October of this year. Commenting on this news, the President of the World Blind Union, Martin Abel-Williamson, emphasized that for people with visual impairments, it is extremely important to have the opportunity to "journey" in learning Braille with the people they love the most.

"For the blind community, the Braille font is not just literacy; it's our path to independence and integration into this world. The fact that LEGO Braille Bricks will be available to the general public is a huge step forward in getting more children interested in learning Braille first and foremost",- Abel-Williamson added.

More than ten years ago, the Danish toy manufacturer developed inclusive construction sets in partnership with organizations for the blind. Since 2020, Lego has started providing these constructors to schools and services working with visually impaired children for free.

After receiving positive feedback from parents, educators, grandparents, children, and teachers who repeatedly pointed out the positive impact on children's learning of the font, it was decided to launch the constructor for mass-market sales.

"This huge amount of feedback has led to the creation of LEGO Braille Bricks, to give families the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and practice their tactile skills at home," the company emphasized.

This year, the constructors for children aged six and above will be available for purchase in six English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Australia, as well as in five French-speaking countries (Belgium, Canada, and Switzerland, among others).

Italian, German, and Spanish versions are expected to be available for sale in 2024. Lego hopes that this initiative will help parents, siblings, and families learn Braille together, and the sets will include ideas for a variety of educational games that families can play together.

The Lego company traditionally addresses current social issues when developing its products. For instance, in March 2022, at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the retail seller LEGO Citizen Brick launched a charity auction in support of Ukraine, releasing a mini-figure of President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as "Molotov cocktails" in the form of a bottle with the Ukrainian flag.