Braille Blocks: A Revolution in Learning for Visually Impaired Children

Designers Alessandra D'Alessio and Alyssa Vani Create a Unique Sensory Toy

Most learning toys for blind or visually impaired children focus on the connection between objects or elements and sounds. Braille Blocks, however, takes a different approach. By focusing on the connection between identifying braille with everyday textures, the toy allows children to understand what surfaces and textures correspond with certain words.

Each Braille Block is made out of six individually laser-cut pieces of birch wood, coated in child-safe, non-toxic mineral oil. Four sides of each block are covered with the same texture, with each wooden side glued to a piece of the texture. The blocks are then attached to the wooden base and the imprinted top.

The design of Braille Blocks is not just innovative, but also practical. Each block is 2 inches x 2 inches x 2 inches, making them easy for small hands to handle. The set comes with a custom wooden box for storage, and a separate removable wood mat for matching. This mat has the name of each textured block written in braille and in print with a hole for the block underneath it, making it multifunctional and storage friendly.

The design process for Braille Blocks began in January 2016 at the Ryerson School of Interior Design and was completed in February 2016. The designers faced challenges in learning how to etch braille onto wood and spacing each braille letter properly according to universal specifications and guidelines. Despite these challenges, they succeeded in creating a unique and beneficial learning tool for visually impaired children.

Braille Blocks has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Golden A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award in 2016. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, Braille Blocks is a groundbreaking design that is changing the way visually impaired children learn and interact with the world. By combining tactile learning with braille identification, this toy is not only fun but also a powerful educational tool.