Universal Design, Toy Blocks, and You

Here at Uncle Goose Toys, we like a concept called Universal Design. It asks designers to consider how people with different abilities can use an object in substantially the same way, without being excluded or offered a lesser experience.

When we designed our Braille Blocks, we wanted to make a classic wooden toy as accessible as we could. That means we considered the details: the letters, the surfaces, the shapes, the colors, and the way a child might explore each block singly and as a group.

Each block features one lowercase, sans-serif letter. We chose a clean, sans-serif font because its letterforms offer greater tactile clarity. Every block has the same Braille letter debossed on two sides. One side pairs the Braille letter with its printed letter; the other is Braille only.

A recent letter from Ray R. expressed why these small decisions matter:

Choosing a font without serifs for tactile clarity on your Braille blocks is a small design decision with a clear purpose. I appreciate that your product page explains it, alongside the choice to devote each block to one letter.

Thank you for putting that care into a familiar wooden form and for telling people why the details matter.

We agree! A toy can be many things at once: an invitation to learn, a tower waiting to happen, a storytelling tool, or something else entirely. For a child who reads Braille, tactile details are a huge part of independent discovery.

Ray R. put it thoughtfully:

I believe accessibility matters in everyday objects because those ordinary experiences matter. Being able to explore a toy, learn something, or do something for yourself is meaningful. A detail that one person barely notices could make an experience more approachable for someone else.

I also appreciate that you explain your decisions. It gives people like me a reason to pause, consider another person’s experience, and understand the care that goes into the things you make.

These are the kind of Universal Design decisions we think are important, too. We wonder: How will this feel in someone’s hands? What can it teach? Who can enjoy it? What happens when a child encounters it for the first time? How will they know if it’s for them?

At Uncle Goose, we believe beauty and accessibility belong together. A well-made wooden block can be artful, durable, open-ended, and welcoming.

And because our toys are made from sustainable wood and built to last, they can become part of a family’s life for a long time. You can play with them today, rediscover them tomorrow, and pass them along when a new generation is ready to build and learn.

Thank you, Ray, for reminding us that empathy can begin with a moment of deeper, quiet reflection.