Innovating Education – Lego Braille Bricks transforming classrooms at Athlone School for the Blind

The Lego Braille Bricks project, a groundbreaking collaboration between the LEGO Foundation, UCT’s Including Disability Education in Africa (IDEA), and BlindSA, is making waves in the education of visually impaired children. Recently, the project team visited Athlone School for the Blind, one of four participating schools in the Western Cape and Gauteng, to gather feedback on how this innovative learning tool is transforming the classroom experience.

The project empowers blind and visually impaired learners by integrating play with education, fostering an inclusive environment where they can learn Braille alongside their sighted peers.

Prof Moshabela, in turn, outlined his vision for the future of UCT, informed by the transformative events of the past decade in South African higher education.

In this update, educators and learners from Athlone School share their experiences with the Braille bricks, highlighting how the playful, tactile approach has accelerated Braille literacy and promoted collaborative learning. As the extended pilot phase continues, the hope is that this project will drive more inclusive education strategies across South Africa, ensuring that all children have equal access to quality education, regardless of their abilities.