Vitoria Alves has always been passionate about making a difference, and now, with her recent appointment as a Braille Bricks Ambassador supported by the LEGO® Foundation, she is ready to inspire and support others to embrace inclusive education.
Having completed her degree in Inclusive Education Practice at Portobello Institute, awarded by the University of Essex, Vitoria, who is blind, has showcased her dedication and resilience on her journey to this exciting new role.
"I’m really excited about this opportunity and believe it is a great privilege. It is a great opportunity for inclusion and for helping students in learning braille in a fun, easy, and engaging way through play," she said.
With a new opportunity to empower others, Vitoria is determined to make learning accessible and enjoyable for all, especially children who are blind or visually impaired.
Embracing a New Role as Braille Bricks Ambassador
Having completed her degree, Vitoria is stepping into her new role as Braille Bricks Ambassador with enthusiasm. The initiative in partnership with Vision Ireland, aims to make learning braille fun and accessible to all children, promoting inclusion in learning environments.
As an ambassador, Vitoria will conduct workshops across Ireland, interacting with early years practitioners, SNAs, teachers, therapists, and other professionals who work with children.
Her role is to introduce them to LEGO Braille Bricks, showcasing how these tools can make learning braille engaging and enjoyable through play.
"Now that the LEGO Braille Bricks have been distributed for professionals working with children, my role is to run workshops for anyone working with children about the initiative, the importance of learning through play and how the LEGO Braille Bricks make learning braille fun for the children.
"I will also highlight the importance of braille, and the opportunity that this brings for the classroom as an inclusive tool for all students as it can be used in the mainstream classroom as the bricks have both braille and print letters on them.
"The workshops will be practical and hands on so the practitioners have a chance to understand how this tool can be used with activities demonstrated," she explained.
By highlighting the importance of braille for everyday life and future opportunities, Vitoria's role will inspire others to create inclusive learning spaces.
"I’m excited to promote braille and the difference it can make both in education and everyday life. I will be able to speak about these opportunities to people who are directly working with the children and who can help make a difference in their lives.
"I also believe that it’s important that learning can be fun and engaging and the braille bricks offer new methods of teaching children through play activities," she said.
Watch the video below to learn more about LEGO Braille Bricks.
Celebrating a Champion of Inclusion
Denise Flood is the College Director of Portobello Institute, she congratulated Vitoria on her new role and success.
“We are incredibly proud of Vitoria and her remarkable achievements. Her journey through the Inclusive Education Practice program has been a testament to her resilience, passion, and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of others.
"As a Braille Bricks Ambassador, she is not only promoting an important initiative but also embodying the values of inclusion and accessibility that we champion at Portobello Institute.
"Vitoria’s commitment to empowering children and fostering inclusive education will undoubtedly inspire many, and we are thrilled to see her continue to shine as a leader in this field," she said.
Finding Her Path to Inclusive Education at Portobello Institute
Vitoria's time studying at Portobello Institute was transformative. Arriving with some uncertainty due to past educational experiences where she lacked support, she found Portobello’s environment to be a refreshing change.
With lecturers and tutors prioritising her needs from the start, setting up biweekly meetings and providing accommodations such as accessible materials and extended assignment time, the inclusive approach allowed Vitoria to not only keep pace with her coursework but to excel.
“The support I received was exceptional. The tutors and lecturers were always ready to help, and I found great support from my peers. It was a truly inclusive environment, and it helped me gain confidence in my abilities and improve my personal skills,” Vitoria said.
During her studies, Vitoria embraced her role as a class representative, an experience she found particularly rewarding. It allowed her to amplify the voices of her fellow students and ensured that feedback was taken into account.
The opportunity to advocate for others and to be actively involved in shaping the student experience was instrumental in her growth, both personally and professionally.
"It has given me the confidence and skills to pursue my goals. I can now use the knowledge I have gained to help students have an inclusive and fun educational experience.
"I am planning on qualifying as a teacher or working as a social worker. The experience with Portobello has given me the confidence to pursue higher education and to achieve my goals," she said.
Making a Lasting Impact
Vitoria’s future extends beyond her ambassador role; for her, this as the beginning of a broader journey to promote inclusion in education and beyond.
Her goal is to ensure that classrooms become safe spaces where all students can thrive, regardless of their abilities. By emphasising the value of learning through play, she hopes to show that education can be both effective and enjoyable.
“I want to use this position to make a difference for students, especially within the blind community.
“I believe in the importance of braille not just for education, but for everyday life and future career opportunities. It’s about giving children the tools to succeed and empowering them to achieve their potential,” she said.
Jacinta Murphy is the Inclusive Education Practice Programme Lead at Portobello Institute.
"Vitoria is a true inspiration and working with her and taking on board her feedback has allowed us to learn and improve accessibility on the degree programme. I am so pleased to have been a part of Vitoria's learning journey and wish to congratulate her on her new role as Braille Bricks Ambassador.
"This is a wonderful initiative to support inclusion and destigmatise visual impairment. We worked closely with Vitoria, involved her and asked her 'what do you need?' what can we do to support your success?' rather than assuming what was needed.
"Vitoria's determination to excel and be an advocate for inclusion will allow her to succeed in this role and beyond," she said.
Find Out More
If you are interested in studying Inclusive Education at Portobello Institute, visit our faculty here. You can book a consultation call with our course advisor Sarah Coyne, email sarah.coyne@portobelloinstitute.com or call 01 892 0028.
