Lego has released Braille versions of its famous toy bricks, marking the first time the product has been released to the general public.
The Braille bricks are designed so that anyone who is curious about Braille “can have fun getting to know the braille system at home with their family members in a playful, inclusive way,” Lego said in a news release.
The braille bricks are aimed at kids ages 6 and older, regardless of if they’re blind, partially-sighted or sighted, Lego said.
The company said that up until now, Lego Braille Bricks have only been distributed free of charge to organizations specializing in the education of children with vision impairment.
“We were thrilled by the reception that Lego Braille Bricks received in educational settings,” said Rasmus Løgstrup, Lego group lead designer on Lego Braille Bricks, in the release.
“We’ve been inundated with thousands of requests to make them more widely available, so we just knew we had to make it happen,” he added.
WHAT DO BLIND PEOPLE SEE?What to know about sight for those with visual impairment.
BRAILLE PLACARDS:United Airlines announces fleet-wide plans for Braille placards on its planes
What comes in a Lego Braille Bricks set?
A set of Braille bricks includes 287 bricks in five colors: white, yellow, green, red and blue.
And if you’re wondering if the bricks will work with your other Legos, don’t worry. The bricks are fully compatible with other sets.
The brick’s studs correspond to the numbers and letters in the Braille system, with the printed version of the symbol or letter shown beneath the studs, the news release said.
Two baseplates to build your Legos on are also included in the set, which comes in a package detailed with braille embossing.
When are Lego Braille Bricks available?
Lego Braille Bricks are available in English and French starting Sept. 1, with pre-order starting Aug. 24.
What languages will Lego Braille Bricks use?
Lego plans to add additional languages next year, according to the news release.
Read the full article here
