Blind Man Creates Accessible Lego Instructions, Inspiring Company to Make Sets More Inclusive
By
speckx
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
Matthew Shifrin, a blind man from Massachusetts, was inspired by his childhood love of Lego to create accessible building instructions for blind and visually impaired people. After receiving braille instructions for a Lego set at age 13, he founded Bricks for the Blind in 2023, which provides free accessible instructions for over 540 Lego sets. His work has influenced Lego to create their own audio and braille instructions, enabling blind builders worldwide to experience the independence and joy of building Lego sets without assistance.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledLike a lot of young children, Matthew Shifrin loved building Lego sets. But because he was blind, Shifrin had to rely on friends and family to help him complete his creations — sometimes bribing them with tea to get them to come by his house.
That all changed when he was 13. A family friend and babysitter came over to his house in Newton, Massachusetts and handed him a binder filled with accessible instructions for building a Middle Eastern palace.
That experience inspired him to create Bricks for the Blind in 2023, offering free, accessible instructions for blind builders.
His efforts have inspired Lego to create audio and braille instructions. Many blind people, including adults, now enjoy building Lego sets independently, experiencing newfound freedom and connection.
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