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<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>Previously, I forwarded information to the BELL Academy Team for
2019.</DIV>
<DIV>This email provides additional info and I wanted to share.</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks to Pamela Gaston, NJ CBVI for forwarding as we continue to work
together to make a difference!</DIV>
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<DIV>Joe </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">We
care. We
share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo, President <BR>National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Raising
Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Your
old
car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your unwanted
vehicle
to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or call 855 659
9314<BR></DIV>
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<DIV>Motivated by stories and ideas from blind people around the world, the
LEGO
Foundation and LEGO Group will pilot a grassroots innovation that can help
blind
and visually impaired children learn through play using LEGO® bricks.</DIV>
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<DIV>Paris, France April 24: Today, the LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group will
announce their support of a pioneering project that will help blind and
visually
impaired children learn Braille in a playful and engaging way using Braille
customised LEGO® bricks. The project, LEGO Braille Bricks, will be unveiled
today at the Sustainable Brands Conference in Paris, France.</DIV>
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<DIV>The concept behind LEGO Braille Bricks was first proposed to the LEGO
Foundation in 2011 by the Danish Association of the Blind and again in 2017
by
the Brazilian-based Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind. It has since
been
further shaped in close collaboration among blind associations from Denmark,
Brazil, UK, and Norway and the first prototypes are now in those same
countries
for concept testing.</DIV>
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<DIV>“With thousands of audiobooks and computer programs now available,
fewer
kids are learning to read Braille,” said Philippe Chazal, Treasurer of the
European Blind Union. “This is particularly critical when we know that
Braille
users often are more independent, have a higher level of education and
better
employment opportunities. We strongly believe LEGO Braille Bricks can help
boost
the level of interest in learning Braille, so we’re thrilled that the LEGO
Foundation is making it possible to further this concept and bring it to
children around the world.”</DIV>
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<DIV>LEGO Braille Bricks will be moulded with the same number of studs used
for
individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet, while remaining
fully
compatible with the LEGO System in Play. To ensure the tool is inclusive
allowing sighted teachers, students and family members to interact on equal
terms, each brick will also feature a printed letter or character. This
ingenious combination brings a whole new and playful approach to get blind
and
visually impaired children interested in learning Braille, enabling them to
develop a breadth of skills needed to thrive and succeed in a fast-paced
world.</DIV>
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<DIV>LEGO Group Senior Art Director, Morten Bonde, who suffers from a
genetic
eye disorder that is gradually turning him blind, worked as an internal
consultant on the project. Morten currently has 4-degree sight left but is
determined not to let his loss of sight limit him.</DIV>
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<DIV>“Experiencing reactions from both students and teachers to LEGO Braille
Bricks has been hugely inspirational and reminded me that the only
limitations I
will meet in life are those I create in my mind. The children’s level of
engagement and their interest in being independent and included on equal
terms
in society is so evident. I am moved to see the impact this product has on
developing blind and visually impaired children’s academic confidence and
curiosity already in its infant days.”</DIV>
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<DIV>The product is currently being tested in Danish, Norwegian, English and
Portuguese, while German, Spanish and French will be tested in Q3 2019. The
final LEGO Braille Bricks kit is expected to launch in 2020 and will be
distributed free of charge to select institutions through participating
partner
networks in the markets where testing is being carried out with partners. It
will contain approximately 250 LEGO Braille Bricks covering the full
alphabet,
numbers 0-9, select math symbols and inspiration for teaching and
interactive
games.</DIV>
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<DIV>“Blind and visually impaired children have dreams and aspirations for
their
future just as sighted children” said John Goodwin, CEO of the LEGO
Foundation.
“They have the same desire and need to explore the world and socialise
through
play, but often face involuntary isolation as a consequence of exclusion
from
activities. In the LEGO Foundation, we believe children learn best through
play
and in turn develop the breadth of skills, such as creativity, collaboration
and
communication, that they need in the post 4th Industrial Revolution. With
this
project, we are bringing a playful and inclusive approach to learning
Braille to
children. I hope children, parents, caregivers, teachers and practitioners
worldwide will be as excited as we are, and we can’t wait to see the
positive
impact.”</DIV>
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<DIV><A
href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news-room/2019/april/lego-braille-bricks/">https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news-room/2019/april/lego-braille-bricks/</A></DIV>
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