NEWTON, Mass. (AP) - Matthew Shifrin, a young blind boy from Newton, Massachusetts, discovered a new world of creativity when he first received a binder filled with accessible Lego instructions in braille at the age of 13. This pivotal moment allowed him to build a Middle Eastern palace without relying on sighted family members or friends. Shifrin expressed that it was an empowering experience, enabling him to take complete control of the building process and learn about the world around him through Lego.
Motivated to honor the memory of his babysitter who had passed away, Shifrin took significant steps to support other blind Lego enthusiasts. Three years ago, at the age of 28, he launched Bricks for the Blind, a nonprofit organization designed to provide accessible Lego building instructions. He leads a dedicated team of 30 sighted writers and blind testers who work to create user-friendly downloadable instructions for over 540 Lego sets, ranging from simple cars to intricate 4,000-piece bridges. These materials are available for free to those who are blind or visually impaired, allowing them to use braille or text-to-speech technology for guidance.
While the instructions enable blind individuals to build independently, some sighted assistance may still be necessary to sort Lego bricks. Alternatively, users can utilize various apps that employ artificial intelligence to identify Lego pieces, enhancing the building experience.
Shifrin's efforts have attracted attention from the Denmark-based Lego Group, which approached him in 2017 about improving accessibility for their products. As a result, the company began creating audio and braille instructions for a growing assortment of Lego sets, which launched in 2019. Lego Braille Bricks were also introduced in 2020, aimed at providing a tactile building experience for blind children and featuring characters with vision loss in their product lines.
The impact of Bricks for the Blind has been profound, allowing blind parents and their children to connect through the process of building Lego sets. Shifrin has received messages from those who formerly felt excluded from this popular cultural experience. For example, blind grandparents have expressed joy in building alongside their grandchildren, while others report newfound independence with their sighted children.
Daniel Millan, a 31-year-old master's student from San Diego who lost his vision in 2024, shared that using Bricks for the Blind has empowered him to build again. He completed a Lego ornament set and later a rose set with his wife for their anniversary. Millan described the experience as liberating, shifting his focus from what he can no longer do to embracing new possibilities.
For Natalie Charbonneau, Building with Bricks for the Blind has allowed her to engage with her 5-year-old son in a way she could not before, fostering a sense of empowerment as they create fire trucks and other vehicles together. Charbonneau, who is also a tester for the nonprofit, appreciates the ability to assist her son with Lego building without relying on her sighted husband.
Teri Turgeon, the education director for community programs at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, noted that Shifrin's accessible instructions allow blind children the same enjoyment and learning experiences that sighted children have with Lego. This initiative fosters fine motor skills and expands their ability to visualize the world around them.
Back at his home in Newton, Shifrin demonstrates the joy of Lego building. He supports fellow blind builder Minh Ha as she constructs a go-kart, offering encouragement and guidance along the way. Ha reflected on her own journey with Lego, highlighting that many blind individuals have traditionally been excluded from this cherished childhood pastime. She emphasized the satisfaction and tranquility that come with assembling intricate and beautiful Lego structures.
