Special LEGO bricks helping teach braille to Wiltshire children
Youngsters with vision impairment are getting a helping hand.
Children living with vision impairment in Wiltshire are set to benefit from special LEGO Braille Brick toolkits thanks to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
The kits are made up of around 300 LEGO bricks that are specially made so the studs on top reflect letters and numbers in the braille alphabet which helps young people learn it in a way they've never previously had the opportunity to.
They also featured printed letters, numbers and symbols meaning everyone can use them in a more inclusive way.
The kits are being brought to the UK by the RNIB, which worked with the LEGO Foundation to develop and test the Braille Bricks and will distribute toolkits to schools and home-schooled children from September.
RNIB Director of Services, David Clarke said:
“We are excited to bring the LEGO Braille Brick toolkits to UK classrooms to help children learn how to read and write braille in a fun and engaging way. Braille is an important tool and these inclusive toolkits will make a real difference to children with vision impairment, allowing them to play and interact with their sighted classmates.”
The charity have also trained teachers and support staff, who work with visually impaired children, in how to use them properly.
They're aimed at children aged four and up and have proven to have learning benefits for secondary school ages.
Senior Play & Health Specialist at the LEGO Foundation, Stine Storm, said:
“We are thrilled to launch the first wave of the LEGO Braille Bricks program and get the toolkits into the hands of children. With LEGO Braille Bricks, students and educators can tailor their activities in countless different ways to meet their needs and learning goals in a fun and inclusive manner. The possibilities for learning through play are endless, and we look forward to seeing how LEGO Braille Bricks can inspire children of all ages along their journey to learn braille.”
You can find out more about the bricks by visiting the charity's website.