LEGO Braille Bricks help visually impaired children learn to read through play.

The LEGO Foundation officially launched the LEGO Braille Bricks program in 2020 after successful pilot testing in several countries. The project was developed in collaboration with major blind associations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the American Printing House for the Blind. Each brick retains the classic LEGO dimensions but features studs arranged to represent specific letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet.Traditional Braille instruction can be repetitive and isolating for young learners. By integrating Braille into the universal LEGO building system, the program encourages inclusive play between blind and sighted children. This social interaction is crucial for emotional development and reduces the stigma often associated with assistive technology. The bricks are currently distributed free of charge to schools and educators in over 20 countries.Research shows that tactile learning is most effective when it is engaging and multi-sensory. The printed letter on each brick allows teachers and parents who do not know Braille to support the child's progress immediately. This dual-coding approach ensures that literacy becomes a shared experience rather than a solitary task. The initiative represents a significant step in making educational tools more accessible and fun for the approximately 19 million children worldwide who live with vision impairment.