BrailleBlocks explores the creation of more engaging and inclusive educational tools to support visually imapired children in learnig Braille. BrailleBlocks comprises a set of tangible blocks and pegs, each block representing a Braille cell, and an associated application with games. The interactive games can be controlled by physically assembling Braille letters and words, and provide audio and multimedia feedback about words as they are constructed. The system automatically tracks and recognizes the blocks so that a sighted parent, teacher, or other collaborator can follow along even if they cannot read Braille.

BrailleBlocks includes an interactive tutorial and several games:

• Tutorial. The tutorial demonstrates how letters are assembled and recognized by the system. When the parent types a letter on the keyboard, the corresponding Braille character is shown on screen. The parent asks their child to construct a letter and uses the application to check their work.
• Animal Name Game. The game is intended to encourage children to use the blocks and to practice spelling in Braille. The child attempts to guess an animal based on the sound that it makes and to write its name in Braille. The parent selects an animal and the system plays a sound made by that animal. The application shows the parent the Braille characters for the correct answer so that they can provide hints or support as appropriate. Once the child writes the word, the parent can press the “Check Word” button to translate their child’s guess from Braille to text, allowing them to see the answer as both text and Braille.
• Hangman. Hangman supports practicing spelling skills and can promote critical thinking through guessing. The parents think of a word and type it into the system. The system then shows the word as both text and Braille. To make a guess, the child assembles a letter using blocks and presents it to the parent. The parent can press the “Check Word” button to translate their child’s guess from Braille to text.
• Word Scramble. Word Scramble game emphasizes Braille reading skills. The parent is presented with a scrambled word, creates that word using the blocks, and presents the blocks to the child. The child rearranges the blocks to unscramble the word. The parent can press the "Check Word" do determine if the child's solution is correct.