Lego Braille bricks 'let me play with grandkids'

A blind Lego fan has described how using Braille bricks means she can finally play with her grandchildren.

Jackie Brown, 61, was born blind, and has been building Lego models since the age of seven.

Lego's Braille bricks launched in 2020, though were only tested in certain schools and organisations.

Now that they are available to the public, Mrs Brown said she can "sit down and play with my grandchildren".

The bricks are designed to help blind children and people with sight loss learn to read letters and numbers by touch.

The 61-year-old from Maghera, County Londonderry, told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today she was bought her first Lego set by her parents in 1969.

"That's when my Lego journey and fascination started," she added.

"Lego has evolved in a fantastic way since then but back then I was able to feel my way round my Lego board and through conversation with others I was able to build my own models," Jackie said.

"I've never really grown up properly and now that I have my grandchildren, I can continue with them while teaching them what Braille is. I feel proud that we're able to do that now.

"It's like therapy and form of escapism for me. You can feel free and creative with Braille bricks."

Jackie has built Lego villages and bridges and encourages her grandchildren to use their imagination as much as possible.

"Lego can be whatever you want it to be and that's the message I like to share. I obviously can't see the layout or the colours but I get so much out of touch, the build and conversation with friends and family."

Braille is a system of raised dots that helps a blind person or someone with vision impairment to read.

They use their sense of touch to feel the shape of the dots, which tells them what the words or numbers are.

It is based on six dots, like the design on a domino - or like a Lego brick.

It consists of 63 symbols, made up of all the possible variations of these dots.

Braille can be used for most of the world's languages and was invented by Frenchman Louis Braille, who was born in 1806.

He lost his sight at the age of three and went on to develop the braille system at 15.

Laura Cummings, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in Northern Ireland, said: "With both Braille and printed letters, numbers and symbols on each brick, the 'Lego Braille Bricks' make Braille more accessible.

"Jackie is testament to the fact that Lego is fun for all ages and brings generations together. We are excited to bring Braille Bricks to the Belfast Brick Show on 4 November".