Bricks for the Blind

Bricks for the Blind Bricks for the Blind (BFTB) is a non-profit organization that brings the joy of building LEGO® sets to blind people for free.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of building a LEGO set independently, especially when it turns into a new favorit...
08/26/2026

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of building a LEGO set independently, especially when it turns into a new favorite hobby!

Sheila B. recently built the LEGO Magical Unicorn using our accessible, text-based building instructions and shared: “Being able to build LEGOs through BFTB has been amazing and I’m now hooked on building LEGO sets!”

Stories like Sheila’s are why we do what we do. Accessible instructions give blind and visually impaired builders the opportunity to experience the creativity, independence and fun of building LEGO sets, and maybe even discover a new favorite hobby along the way!

--

Photo 1 description: Sheila smiles while sitting at a black table and holding her completed LEGO Magical Unicorn set. The colorful unicorn is made with white, pink, purple, blue and orange LEGO pieces. Sheila is wearing a blue patterned shirt, and additional LEGO pieces can be seen on the table behind her.

Photo 2 description: A testimonial graphic featuring Sheila smiling while seated at a table with her completed LEGO Magical Unicorn set. A purple overlay covers the photo with white text that reads, “Being able to build LEGO through BFTB has been amazing and I’m now hooked on building LEGO sets!” The quote is attributed to Sheila B. from the USA.

Building something challenging makes the finished model even more rewarding. Jonathan recently completed the LEGO Monste...
08/18/2026

Building something challenging makes the finished model even more rewarding.

Jonathan recently completed the LEGO Monster Book of Monsters using our text-based building instructions and shared: "This one was hard to build but what an amazing feeling when I finished it! I love the chomping action. Thanks for the great work you do at BFTB!"

Stories like Jonathan's remind us that accessible instructions aren't just about building LEGO sets, they're about making independent building possible, one set at a time.

Photo 1 description: Jonathan smiles at the camera while holding up a completed LEGO Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters build. The brown LEGO book is covered with textured details, including teeth, horns, claws, and printed pieces that read "Monster Book of Monsters." Jonathan stands indoors wearing a gray T-shirt with burgundy sleeves, proudly displaying his finished creation.

Photo 2 description: A graphic features a faded photo of Jonathan smiling while holding his completed LEGO Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters build in the background. Large white text overlays the image with his testimonial: "This one was hard to build but what an amazing feeling when I finished it! I love the chomping action. Thanks for the great work you do at BFTB!" The quote is attributed to Jonathan N. | Canada.

08/12/2026

Summertime POV: You're building the LEGO Sunflowers set one audio instruction at a time.

Laia recently tackled this bright and beautiful set using Bricks for the Blind's text-based instructions, recording her progress along the way.

Watching a build come together independently never gets old.

Video description: A close-up, overhead video shows hands assembling a LEGO sunflower step by step on a white tabletop. Individual yellow petals, flower-shaped pieces, and green stem components are carefully connected to form the bloom. As the build progresses, the sunflower takes shape with layered yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center. Near the end, the completed sunflower is displayed beside two smaller finished LEGO sunflowers, highlighting the difference in size and design.

08/03/2026

Abracadabra, Alakazam …POOF an accessible LEGO set has magically appeared in your hand!

Magician Matthew and his lovely assistant have many more tricks up their sleeve! Visit our website to see what else the House of Wonders has to offer.

At Bricks for the Blind, we're creating more opportunities for blind, low vision, and sighted builders to share the joy of building together through free, accessible text-based LEGO instructions.

Explore our growing library of instructions here: https://brnw.ch/21x4DVQ

Video description: Matthew Shifrin, dressed as a magician in a black suit, bow tie, top hat, and dark glasses, stands beside a young assistant wearing a light blue dress. The assistant removes Matthew's top hat, and the video humorously cuts to a vintage-style "Please Stand By" screen. When the scene returns, the assistant reaches into the hat and pulls out a small white LEGO bunny, holding it up with a smile. She then tips the hat forward to reveal that it is filled with colorful LEGO bricks, completing the playful magic trick. Matthew smiles beside her as they present the magical LEGO-filled hat to the camera.

07/31/2026

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter

To celebrate the iconic wizard, we're shining a light on our collection of 36 FREE Harry Potter LEGO text-based building instructions available to download today.

From magical classrooms to iconic castles and enchanting creatures, there's no shortage of ways to bring the Wizarding World to life, one accessible brick at a time.

The magic doesn't stop there, either. Even more Harry Potter sets are currently being tested and will be added soon.
What's the first Harry Potter LEGO set you'd want to build?

Video description: A screen recording scrolls through the Bricks for the Blind website, showcasing accessible text-based building instructions for LEGO Harry Potter sets. The page is filtered to the Harry Potter theme and displays sets including Hogwarts Castle: The Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle: Hospital Wing, Hagrid's Hut: An Unexpected Visit, and Hogwarts Castle: Sorting Hat Ceremony. Each listing includes a photo of the completed LEGO set, the number of pieces, adaptation details, the publication date, and buttons labeled "View Details" and "Download Instructions." The video highlights the variety of accessible Harry Potter builds available for blind and low vision LEGO fans.

07/29/2026

While we were in NYC for our building workshop at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, Founder and CEO Matthew Shifrin also got to know the sights of the city—through the LEGO store!

For blind LEGO fans, models of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the One World Trade Center are ways to see the world. We were so excited to get to experience NYC. Stay tuned for where Bricks for Blind travels next!

Video description: Matthew Shifrin, wearing dark glasses, a light-colored baseball cap, and a tan jacket, explores large LEGO displays inside the LEGO Store in New York City. The video features close-up views of detailed LEGO sculptures, including oversized yellow LEGO heads, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and other New York-themed landmarks. Matthew smiles as he reaches out to touch and examine the displays, taking time to explore their details through touch while walking through the store. The video ends with additional close-up shots of the colorful LEGO creations.

Big news! Bricks for the Blind has been named to Diversability's 2026 D30 Disability Impact List, recognizing disabled-l...
07/27/2026

Big news!

Bricks for the Blind has been named to Diversability's 2026 D30 Disability Impact List, recognizing disabled-led businesses and nonprofits creating a more accessible world through innovation, advocacy, and creativity.

To be recognized alongside changemakers from around the globe is an incredible honor and a meaningful reminder of why we do this work.

Every accessible text-based instruction we create helps make building, learning, and play possible for blind LEGO fans everywhere. This recognition belongs to our entire community of builders, supporters, volunteers, and partners who continue to help make that mission a reality.

Thank you to Diversability for this honor, and congratulations to all of this year's D30 honorees!

Learn more about the 2026 D30 Disability Impact List: https://brnw.ch/21x4sSo

Photo description: A graphic announces that Matthew Shifrin has been named a 2026 Honoree on The D-30 Disability Impact List. The text reads, "The D-30 Disability Impact List," "2026 Honoree," "Matthew Shifrin (He/Him)," and "USA." On the right, Matthew stands wearing dark glasses and a black button-down shirt, holding a white cane against a light background. The Diversability logo and the hashtag appear in the bottom left corner.

NYC, you showed up. What an incredible afternoon at the NYPL The New York Public Library Andrew Heiskell Braille and Tal...
07/22/2026

NYC, you showed up.

What an incredible afternoon at the NYPL The New York Public Library Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library Blind, low vision, and sighted builders came together to build, connect, and experience firsthand what accessible LEGO building is all about.

Led by our founder, Matthew Shifrin, participants tackled the LEGO City Go-Karts and Race Drivers set using our text-based building instructions. The room was filled with excitement, collaboration, and plenty of "I built it!" moments.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to the NYPL The New York Public Library for welcoming us into such an amazing space. Seeing our community come together like this reminds us why we do what we do.

Here's to many more builds ahead.
--
Photo descriptions for #1, #2, #3, #4: Participants gather around tables during an accessible LEGO building workshop, to sort and assemble LEGO pieces. Participants of different ages work independently and with support from others, while unopened LEGO sets, tablets, and small bags of pieces are placed throughout the room. The bright community space features colorful wall decorations, artwork, and large windows, creating a welcoming environment for blind and low vision builders.

Photo 5 description: Matthew stands at a microphone addressing participants during an accessible LEGO building event. Several attendees seated at tables listen attentively, with bowls of LEGO pieces in front of them. Colorful fabric banners and wall hangings decorate the bright community room.

Photo 6 description: Participants sit at tables during an accessible LEGO building workshop while Matthew speaks into a microphone at the front of the room. Attendees sort and assemble LEGO pieces using paper bowls, with LEGO sets and building materials spread across the tables in a bright, welcoming community space.

The final accessible FIFA build has arrived.The 2026 FIFA World Cup may be officially over but you can keep the joy of t...
07/20/2026

The final accessible FIFA build has arrived.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup may be officially over but you can keep the joy of the tournament going by building. Our text-based building instructions for the LEGO Soccer Ball Set are now available!

Designed for blind and low vision LEGO fans, our accessible instructions make it easier for everyone to enjoy the build and celebrate the beautiful game.

Keep tabs on all current available FIFA downloads here: https://brnw.ch/21x4gXK

--

Photo description: A promotional graphic shows a LEGO Soccer Ball set centered on a soccer field inside a large stadium under a blue sky. The soccer ball is built from white, teal, pink, and black LEGO pieces and sits on a black display stand. At the top, large black text reads, "TEXT-BASED INSTRUCTIONS NOW AVAILABLE." At the bottom, smaller black text reads, "Soccer Ball."

07/18/2026

It’s raining in NYC, but our building workshop at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library is still on! Come on by Andrew Heiskell Library at 2 pm and join in the fun.

—
Video Description: Matthew Shifrin, a red-headed gentleman holding an umbrella whose clothes are soaked with rain, speaks to the camera during a thunderstorm in front of the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Books Library.

Address

Boston, MA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bricks for the Blind posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Bricks for the Blind:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category