Finally, after four years of testing and developing, LEGO is selling braille bricks that use the bumps on their iconic bricks to teach the Braille alphabet-and these aren't only for blind people.

Alongside the Braille bumps on each brick is printed the letters and numbers so that everyone can play while learning a new language, including the sighted. The new 'Play with Braille' set makes learning braille more fun and accessible to everyone.

LEGO Braille Bricks are moulded with the same number of studs used for individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet, while remaining fully compatible with every LEGO system.

"For blind and partially sighted children, and adults for that matter, it makes all the difference if they can share their journey of learning braille with the people they love the most," said Martine Abel-Williamson, President, World Blind Union.

"For the blind community, braille is not just literacy, it's our entry to independence and inclusion into this world, and to have LEGO Braille Bricks made available for the wider public is a massive step forward to ensuring more children will want to learn braille in the first place."

Until now, LEGO Braille Bricks have only been distributed free of charge by the LEGO Foundation to organizations specializing in the education of children with vision impairment.

Lisa Taylor, mother of two daughters 7 and 4, says Olivia (pictured below, left) first discovered LEGO braille bricks at school.

"They had such a big impact on her curiosity for braille. Before then, she found it hard to get started with the symbols. We can now play with braille together as a family and she can introduce braille to her little sister in a way they both love.

"Braille bricks are accessible for her without being really different for other kids, so she gets to play and learn just like every other child."

The new set, aimed at kids aged 6+, includes 287 bricks in five colors with two baseplates for building upon. Priced at $89.99 (79.99 GBP), the set can only be purchased online at LEGO.com and comes in a box with braille embossing.

All bricks are fully compatible with other LEGO products and the studs on each brick are arranged to correspond to the numbers and letters in the braille system. Below the bumps, the printed version of the symbol or letter appears.

To get families started, a series of play starters are available on the website that will teach players how to orient, attach, and stack the bricks using well-loved games such as Rock, Paper, Scissors.

The LEGO Group has also partnered with the free mobile app Be My Eyes. The popular app connects blind and partially sighted people with companies to help with everyday tasks through a live video call. As part of the partnership, LEGO Customer Service colleagues will provide confidential, live visual assistance through the app covering general product support.

SHARE The Playtime News With LEGO Lovers on Social Media…