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Island school one of the first in Britain to use Braille Lego

Evie Roberts (right) with Specialist Senior Education Support Officer Natasha Molyneux-Smith

Ballakermeen gets new kit for blind and visually impaired students

An Island school has become one of the first in Britain to use Braille Lego Bricks.

Designed by the Danish Toy Maker, the bricks look like normal Lego, but the studs are arranged into the system of raised dots that enable blind people to read.

Eleven-year-old Evie Roberts, of Ballakermeen High School was born blind and joined the school in September.

She said the new pieces are 'really cool', and said "It feels like a really creative way of working on ideas, and it's more fun than using the standard Braille that I use most of the time.’

Government plans to introduce the kit to more schools around the Island.

Jonathan Roe, Head of the Government’s Visual Support Service, said: ‘The most impactful and long-lasting learning occurs when children are engaged in activities they enjoy and Evie has given it a glowing review.

As well as students at Ballakermeen, the kits will be used to introduce other young children to Braille on the Island and I’m confident it will be a fantastic resource to help with reading and writing.’

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