Bricks for the Blind

What does it mean to build something independently when the instructions were never designed for you?

Our very own Matthew Shifrin sat down with Virginia Voice to share the experiences that shaped Bricks for the Blind, from discovering accessible LEGO instructions as a child to helping create them for thousands of blind and low vision builders today.

In the conversation, he reflects on why accessibility is about more than adapting instructions. It's about giving people the opportunity to explore, solve problems, and create on their own terms.

Thank you to Virginia Voice for creating space for conversations like this and helping amplify the importance of accessibility.

Listen to the interview here: https://brnw.ch/21x4bmY

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Photo description: A promotional graphic for the Virginia Voice podcast Community Connections features a photo of guest Matthew Shifrin. The Virginia Voice logo appears in the upper left above large navy text reading, "Community Connections," followed by smaller text that reads, "with guest Matthew Shifrin." On the right is a portrait of Matthew Shifrin smiling while wearing dark sunglasses. He has curly light brown hair and a reddish-brown beard and is dressed in a light blue checkered shirt under a dark sweater. The background is softly blurred, and the graphic is framed with teal, orange, and navy curved design elements.

Interview with Matt Shifrin Host Yvonne Mastromano talks with musician, performer, and accessibility advocate Matt Shifrin about his musical career, Bricks for the Blind, creating accessible LEGO instructions for blind builders, and his one-man musical. LISTEN NOW

Another FIFA build has entered the game.

Our text-based building instructions for the LEGO Lionel Messi – Soccer Highlights Set are now available!

As Lionel Messi continues his quest for another FIFA World Cup title, now is the time to celebrate one of soccer's greatest players. Our accessible instructions are designed for blind and low vision LEGO fans, making it easier to build alongside the action.

Follow along as more FIFA sets join the lineup. Keep tabs on all current available downloads here:

https://brnw.ch/21x45Yc

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Photo description: A promotional graphic announces that text-based instructions are now available. Large black text at the top reads, "TEXT-BASED INSTRUCTIONS NOW AVAILABLE." Centered below is a LEGO display celebrating Lionel Messi. The model features a LEGO minifigure of Messi in Argentina's light blue and white uniform, surrounded by soccer-themed details including a goal, a soccer ball, and a large gold number 10 behind him. The display also includes the name "Messi" built from white LEGO bricks and a printed nameplate featuring Messi's signature. A soccer stadium fills the background. Black text at the bottom reads, "Lionel Messi – Soccer Highlights."

Honor a World Cup legend with your next build.

Our text-based building instructions for the LEGO Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer Legend Set are now available!

Cristiano Ronaldo has made his final FIFA World Cup appearance, leaving behind a legacy that has inspired generations of fans around the world. Now, you can celebrate one of the game's all-time greats with accessible building instructions designed for blind and low vision LEGO fans.

Follow along as more FIFA sets join the lineup, and keep tabs on all available downloads here: https://brnw.ch/21x42hz

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Photo description: A promotional graphic announces that text-based instructions are now available. Large black text at the top reads, "TEXT-BASED INSTRUCTIONS NOW AVAILABLE." Centered below is a LEGO display model of Cristiano Ronaldo wearing Portugal's red and green number 7 uniform, standing over a soccer ball on a display base with his printed signature. A large green-and-gold LEGO number 7 stands behind the figure, with a soccer stadium in the background. Black text at the bottom reads, "Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer Legend."

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, we're celebrating one of its most iconic landmarks, built brick by brick.

Domenico completed the 1,685-piece LEGO Statue of Liberty using Bricks for the Blind's free text-based instructions, proving that everyone deserves the opportunity to build the world's most recognizable landmarks independently.

From Lady Liberty to LEGO classic icons are even more meaningful when they're accessible to all.
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Photo description: A person wearing sunglasses, a light blue button-down shirt, and a burgundy sweater vest stands beside a detailed LEGO model of the Statue of Liberty displayed on a black base. The model features the statue's green figure holding a torch atop a tan pedestal, and both the person and the LEGO sculpture are photographed indoors against a light-colored wall.

The FIFA World Cup is really heating up as the knockout rounds continue!

While the players are battling on the pitch, our testers are working hard to finish our text-based building instructions for the LEGO Ronaldo Soccer Highlights, Messi Soccer Legend, Messi Soccer Highlights, and Soccer Ball sets.

These sets can sell out quickly, so now's the perfect time to pick yours up. That way, you'll be ready to build as soon as the instructions go live on the Bricks For The Blind website.

Follow along for release updates and be the first to start building.
All current FIFA downloads available here: https://brnw.ch/21x3OP8

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Photo 1 description: A promotional graphic shows an empty soccer stadium under a bright blue sky. Large black text at the top reads, "LEGO FIFA World Cup Sets CURRENTLY IN TESTING!" At the bottom, white text reads, "Text-Based Instructions COMING SOON. Buy your set while supplies last!" The image does not feature any LEGO models and serves as an announcement that accessible text-based building instructions for LEGO FIFA World Cup sets are currently being tested and will be available soon.

Photo 2 description: A promotional graphic features a LEGO Cristiano Ronaldo "Soccer Highlights" display set against the backdrop of a large soccer stadium under a blue sky. Large black text at the top reads, "Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer Highlights." Centered in the image is a colorful LEGO display with oversized red letters "CR" and a gold number "7" behind a small scene recreating one of Ronaldo's signature bicycle kick goals. A LEGO soccer ball appears midair with a burst effect, while a LEGO minifigure of Ronaldo is shown upside down in the kicking motion. The display also includes a white goal frame, green field details, rocky accents, and a nameplate featuring Cristiano Ronaldo's name and signature.

Photo 3 description: A promotional graphic features a LEGO Lionel Messi "Soccer Legend" display set against the backdrop of a large soccer stadium under a blue sky. Large black text at the top reads, "Lionel Messi – Soccer Legend." Centered in the image is a LEGO model of Lionel Messi wearing Argentina's light blue and white striped number 10 jersey, standing with both arms raised in celebration. Behind him is a large gold and light blue number "10," representing his iconic jersey number. A LEGO soccer ball rests near his feet, and a black display nameplate features Lionel Messi's name and signature. The model is displayed on a green base designed to resemble a soccer field, celebrating Messi's legendary career.

Photo 4 description: A promotional graphic features a LEGO Lionel Messi "Soccer Highlights" display set against the backdrop of a large soccer stadium under a blue sky. Large black text at the top reads, "Lionel Messi – Soccer Highlights." Centered in the image is a colorful LEGO display celebrating one of Messi's iconic goals. A large gold number "10" rises behind a miniature scene featuring a LEGO Messi minifigure in action near a white goal. The display includes blue energy effects, a LEGO soccer ball, colorful buildings and scenery inspired by Argentina, and the name "Messi" built in large white letters across the front. A black nameplate with Lionel Messi's name and signature sits at the front of the model, which rests on a green base designed to resemble a soccer field.

Photo 5 description: A promotional graphic features a LEGO soccer ball model displayed on a black stand in the center of a large soccer stadium under a blue sky. Large black text at the top reads, "Soccer Ball." The LEGO model recreates an official FIFA World Cup soccer ball with white circular panels, black accents, and bold turquoise and pink geometric designs. The ball is shown as a detailed display piece against the backdrop of a green soccer field, highlighting the LEGO recreation of the iconic tournament ball.

The excitement of the FIFA World Cup doesn't end with the final whistle of each match.

Keep the momentum building with free text-based building instructions for the LEGO FIFA World Cup Official Trophy, FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Emblem, and 2026 U.S. Soccer National Team Jersey sets, available now on our website.

And there's even more on the way, including the LEGO Ronaldo Soccer Highlights, Messi Soccer Legend, Soccer Ball, and Messi Soccer Highlights sets.

Grab your favorite FIFA sets now, then head to our website to start building with accessible instructions designed for blind and low vision LEGO fans.

All current FIFA downloads available here: https://bricksfortheblind.org/instructions/?no_of_pieces_min=1&no_of_pieces_max=5000&posts_per_page=12&order_by=date-desc&language=&theme=fifa

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Photo 1 Description: White text at the top reads, "Text-Based Instructions," followed by "AVAILABLE NOW" in bright yellow, and "for these LEGO FIFA World Cup Sets!" in white. The background shows a brightly lit soccer stadium at night with a green field below. Three LEGO models are featured: FIFA World Cup Trophy on the left, FIFA World Cup emblem with a gold trophy in the center on the right, and a framed U.S. Soccer display at the bottom right featuring a white jersey with the number 26, and a red, white, and blue border.

Photo 2 Description: A graphic with a soccer stadium background announces, "And more coming soon!" in large white text at the top. Displayed on the field are four additional LEGO FIFA-themed: a colorful Cristiano Ronaldo display featuring large red and gold letters and numbers spelling "CR7," with a LEGO scene celebrating one of his signature goals, a LEGO model of Lionel Messi wearing Argentina's jersey standing with both arms raised in celebration in front of a large gold and light blue "10," a detailed LEGO FIFA World Cup soccer ball, and a colorful Messi display featuring large gold number "10" with a LEGO scene celebrating one of his career highlights.

BrickWorld Chicago was a big one for BFTB.

Our very own Matthew Shifrin just returned from the convention, where he led 3 workshops for 100 builders total and introduced more people to the power of accessible LEGO building. Even better, many attendees left interested in becoming BFTB instruction writers.

One of the highlights? Meeting Shannon Holmes, one of our incredible writers, in person for the first time.

Huge thanks to everyone who joined a workshop, asked questions, built with us, and helped spread the word about making LEGO more accessible for blind builders. More to come.

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Photo 1 description: Two attendees pose together in front of a Bricks for the Blind banner at an indoor event. Both are smiling toward the camera. The person on the left wears colorful teal glasses, a pink floral dress, event badges, and uses a decorated forearm crutch. The person on the right wears sunglasses, a baseball cap, event credentials, and holds a white cane. A duffel bag sits on the floor between them.

Photo 2 description: Several attendees sit at tables during a Bricks for the Blind workshop or conference session. Many participants are wearing blindfolds made from folded face masks while taking part in a hands-on activity. In the foreground, two attendees sit side by side at a table with small building pieces and bowls in front of them. Other participants are seated behind them, also blindfolded and focused on the activity. Conference lanyards are visible throughout the room, highlighting an interactive exercise designed to simulate building without sight.

Photo 3 description: Several attendees participate in a hands-on Bricks for the Blind activity at a conference workshop. Seated at tables, the participants wear blindfolds made from folded face masks while using touch to identify and assemble small building pieces. Bowls of parts, instruction materials, and conference lanyards are visible throughout the room. The image captures participants experiencing a building challenge without sight as part of an interactive accessibility exercise.

Photo 4 description: Two attendees participate in a Bricks for the Blind hands-on activity while wearing blindfolds made from folded face masks. Seated side by side at a table, they use touch to sort and identify small building pieces from paper bowls in front of them. Conference lanyards, building parts, and instruction materials are visible on the table. The image captures participants experiencing a building challenge without sight as part of an interactive accessibility workshop.

Photo 5 description: Matthew at the front of a conference room speaking to a group of attendees. The presenter wears sunglasses, a backpack, and conference credentials. Seated participants wear blindfolds made from folded face masks as part of an interactive Bricks for the Blind workshop. Rows of tables and attendees are visible throughout the room, capturing a hands-on accessibility exercise designed to help participants experience building and navigation without sight.