Our goal is to educate people about low vision


Young boy trying a game task with low vision to simulate impairmentOur simulators provide a reasonably accurate picture of some of the functional limitations and abilities that may be experienced with different types of visual impairments. Some of the most common causes of low vision in the developed world are:

Other eye diseases that can cause low vision include RP (retinitis pigmentosa) and brain injuries (including strokes). Of course, wearing a simulator does not portray what it is like to have low vision, as that is a permanent situation that affects a person in ways beyond his or her ability to read or walk about. However, spending some time wearing a simulator and attempting to do various everyday tasks can quickly give fully-sighted persons a sense of some of the issues involved. Often, people are impressed with how much they can do and, sometimes, the simplest task becomes extremely frustrating.

How can they be used?

  • For Professionals:
    These are outstanding educational tools to help teach rehabilitation, education, medical and health care providers about the impact of vision impairment on their patients, clients or students. Low vision simulators can make for a lively in-service or continuing education program.
  • For Non-profit Administrators:
    Would you like to be able to quickly and simply help donors and civic groups understand the impact of vision impairment? Even a few minutes wearing low vision simulators will create a strong, lasting memory
  • For Friends and Family:
    People experiencing low vision have found that these simulators help to get the point across to friends and family who don’t understand the importance of putting things back where they belong, closing the cabinet doors in the kitchen, or not leaving things lying around on the steps. For people with low vision who are highly adapted and “don’t act blind”, they can also help to show others just what you’re putting up with.

More specific ideas of how vision simulators might be used by you or your group are found here: Simulation Activities.

Please read the "Disclaimer" before ordering products, especially for friends and family.