Lego Launches a Feature to Help Make Their Products Accessible to Blind Children

Unless you know someone who is blind, you probably don’t give a whole lot of thought to how blindness affects people – how difficult certain chores and tasks might be. And that includes hobbies and fun as well, especially for kids.

A young blind man named Matthew Shifrin remembers how difficult it was to just be able to play with LEGOs when he was growing up. Because the instructions for LEGOs are represented with images, a family friend of Shifrin’s had to spend hours writing out the instructions and then Shifrin had to upload them into a program that converted the instructions into braille.

A pretty complicated process for a kid who just wants to build things with LEGOs.

Get some #inspiration. Matthew Shifrin has been working tirelessly for several years to spread audio and Braille Lego building instructions to children around the world. https://buff.ly/2PApHdv

Posted by Mike Parsons on Tuesday, September 3, 2019

That’s why Matthew Shifrin teamed up with LEGO to create braille and audio instructions for the company’s toy sets.

LEGO is intent on making its products more accessible to people with disabilities, and earlier this year, the company launched its Braille Bricks that teach people the braille writing system.

Lego launches new feature to make building sets accessible to blind childrenRead more Technology News Here –>…

Posted by Technology News on Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The new sets that come with braille and audio instructions will be sold until December 31, and they include sets of buildings, vehicles, and a spaceship from The LEGO Movie 2. The sets are available for sale and then people can access free instructions on this website. Users can also share feedback on the site, which LEGO will use to make improvements to their instructions. The company also plans to add more sets with braille and audio instructions next year.

Matthew Shifrin says of the partnership with LEGO, “I just want to foster as many blind Lego addicts as I can and help them get into the hobby because it’s helped me so much … I really want to give back to these kids.”

Here’s a video of Shifrin giving a Ted Talk.

Great work!

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A Blind Golden Retriever and His Guide Dog Are BFF and It Is Beautiful

Take a look at these adorable pups! This is what friendship goals look like!

Jake and Addie are inseparable not only because they’re devoted to each other, but because Jake is blind and Addie acts as his guide dog. Jake lost his sight when he was only 2-years-old and Addie has been a loyal friend and helper every step of the way. Jake and Addie’s owner Kim said, “Jake follows Addie’s sound and smell. After Jake’s surgery, Addie wore a little bell on her collar for a while until he got used to tracking her on his own.”

Jake’s owners were worried about his quality of life after he had to have his eyes removed, but they were reassured that blind dogs can go on to live happy, fulfilling lives. And, by the looks of it, Jake is doing just that.

Kim added, “Our vet also counseled us that, to a dog, sight is actually number 3 on their list of senses, as both smell and hearing are more important to them.”

Take a look at these two best friends and all the adventures they go on together!

1. BFF

2. Time to celebrate!

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Stars, stripes, and lot’s of sparkle! 🧨 🇺🇸 🧨 #sparkle #america . . Most of the pics we will be sharing the next few weeks were taken the last month or two so you may notice more changes in the size of the sore on Addie’s nose. I knew there may be questions but still want to share the pics ❤ I appreciate all of the sweet comments of concern and all of the prayers for her. I also want to thank you for the cards, DM’s, and comments of support during this difficult time losing my grandma. I felt so much comfort the last couple of weeks. -Kim . . . . . . Discount codes:🛍 . 🏷 @busterspartyshop ➖THEGOLDENSRULE10 . 🏷 @tailsnsails➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷@threespoileddogs ➖ADDIE10 . 🏷 @ripleyandrue ➖JakeAddie10 . . 🏷 @petsplaysf ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20

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3. Fun in the sun

4. With Dad

5. Car ride!

6. Matching bandanas

7. Memorial Day

8. Double trouble

9. Pampered

10. Picnic time

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We are ready to place our bets and sip our mint juleps! Happy Derby Day! 🌿🥃🏇🏻👒#kentuckyderby #derby #derbyday #kyderby #kentuckyderby2019 . . Discount codes:🛍 . 🏷 @busterspartyshop ➖THEGOLDENSRULE10 . 🏷 @knoxdogwear ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . 🏷 @tailsnsails➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷@threespoileddogs ➖ADDIE10 . 🏷 @ripleyandrue ➖JakeAddie10 . 🏷@cuddleclones ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷 @treatadog ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷 @petsplaysf ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . . . . . #GoldenRetriever #bowtie #Dogs #Puppies #DogsOfInstagram #PuppySketch #CutePuppy #runfortheroses #weratedogs #dogsinbowties #TodayFanPhoto #BestWoof #barkpost #peoplepets #ILoveGolden_Retrievers #TheDodo #Buzzfeed #derbyfashion #Petstagram #viralphoto #doggo #dogstagram #mydogiscutest #animalsinfluence

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11. Superheroes

12. Easter egg hunt

13. Taking in the sights

14. Time for a snooze

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Sunday’s… sleep until you are hungry. Then eat until you are sleepy. 😉😴#repeat #sundayfunday #sleepysunday #rainyday . . Discount codes:🛍 . 🏷 @busterspartyshop ➖THEGOLDENSRULE10 . 🏷 @knoxdogwear ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . 🏷 @tailsnsails➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷@threespoileddogs ➖ADDIE10 . 🏷 @ripleyandrue ➖JakeAddie10 . 🏷@cuddleclones ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷 @treatadog ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . 🏷 @petsplaysf ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . . . . . #GoldenRetriever #RetrieversOfInstagram #GoldenPuppy #GoldenRetrieverPuppy #Dogs #Puppies #PuppyCuddles #Puppy #DogsOfInstagram #PuppySketch #Dog_Features #CutePuppy #Retriever #PuppiesOfInstagram #Golden #AKC #Pupstagram #ILoveMyDog #sundayscaries #ILoveGolden_Retrievers #TheDodo #Buzzfeed #sleepypuppy

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15. Time to party for Mardi Gras

Be sure to follow Jake and Addie on Instagram! These two are the best!

The post A Blind Golden Retriever and His Guide Dog Are BFF and It Is Beautiful appeared first on UberFacts.

We Can’t Get Enough of This Adorable, Blind Kitten Name Merlin

I’ve never seen a cat quite like Merlin before – but I must admit, his name is honestly perfect for him. This tiny lil’ fella with the ice-blue eyes is stealing hearts everywhere.

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Nathaniel and Elliot Green were just married, but back in 2017 they were a newly minted couple and in the market for a cat they could call theirs. “Free Cat Friday” at the Lynchburg Humane Society seemed like the perfect opportunity to pick one up, and even though Elliot admitted he had gone looking for a Siamese kitty, Merlin fell right into their laps instead.

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Merlin is a fairly new and rare breed called a Napoleon, which is a mix of a Munchkin and a Persian cat, though his eyes are his alone – he’s mostly blind, but, according to the Greens, his eyesight doesn’t stop him from being a regular cat most of the time.

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.giriffith

They describe Merlin as affectionate and sweet-tempered, a lover of cuddles and scratches on the face.

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

He loves guests and other animals, though sometimes he gets bullied, especially by other cats.

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

I mean, they’re probably jealous. Just look at that face!

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Their Instagram is dedicated to their ball of fluff, and the gorgeously set and framed photos have earned the Greens – and their Merlin – more than 28k followers.

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Image Credit: merlin.griffith

Click here if you want to be one of them!

The post We Can’t Get Enough of This Adorable, Blind Kitten Name Merlin appeared first on UberFacts.