Seeing the World Differently: Introducing RNIB Eyeware

I’ll be honest—sight is something I used to take for granted. Like many, I rarely stopped to consider what life would look like without it. But with over two million people in the UK alone living with sight loss, there’s a critical need for greater understanding and empathy around this reality.

That’s why, at Zappar, we were delighted to have been given the opportunity to team up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to deliver their RNIB Eyeware product —a powerful, immersive app that gives users a glimpse into the world through the eyes of those with visual impairments.

RNIB Eyeware is designed to do more than educate; it’s a tool to build  understanding for caregivers, designers, brand managers and anyone working on inclusive products, services, or spaces. It’s the result of an incredible collaboration, and I’m proud of what our teams have achieved together.

Key Features That Make RNIB Eyeware Stand Out

So, what makes this app special? Here are some highlights of what you can experience:

1. Eye Condition Simulations: We worked with RNIB to research and simulate ten of the most common eye conditions accurately. Whether it’s glaucoma or macular degeneration, each simulation is designed to replicate these conditions at various levels of severity so users can genuinely appreciate the visual challenges involved.
2. Immersive 360° Scenarios: Using a basic VR viewer (like Google Cardboard), you can enter different environments and see what it’s like to navigate everyday situations with sight loss—crossing the street, recognizing faces, reading labels on a product whilst learning from people’s lived experiences. It’s a direct way to see how our everyday world changes under different visual conditions.
3. Interactive Tasks: We wanted this experience to go beyond simply observing. Through interactive tasks, users face practical challenges that replicate real-life barriers. This hands-on approach helps bring the experience closer to reality.
4. Educational Insights and Personal Stories: For me, this is where the app really resonates. Alongside the simulations, RNIB Eyeware shares real stories from people living with sight loss, putting a human voice to the visual experience. It’s these personal stories that add depth, revealing the emotional and social layers of visual impairment that many of us don’t often consider.
   
   

Why RNIB Eyeware Matters for Inclusive Design

Creating RNIB Eyeware alongside RNIB has once more taught us how powerful immersive technology can be in building empathy through active, participatory learning. This app is more than a learning tool; it’s a call to action for designers, brands, and organizations striving for greater accessibility. I believe that with experiences like these, we can inspire others to rethink how they approach design for inclusivity from the ground up. This app helps professionals truly understand user needs and, hopefully, inspires them to incorporate accessibility into their work from the start.

How to Get Started with RNIB Eyeware

If this sounds like something that would add value to your work or understanding, I encourage you to try it out. RNIB Eyeware is straightforward to use and available to download on iOS and Android —just grab a VR viewer or our very own Zapbox, dive in, and see the world from a new perspective. If you don't have a VR viewer or a Zapbox, you can try the mobile version here. 

Whether you're a caregiver, designer, brand manager, business owner, or simply curious, I think you’ll find the experience both eye-opening and impactful.

For all of us at Zappar, working with RNIB on this project has been incredibly fulfilling. This isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about building a more empathetic and accessible world, one experience at a time. 

I hope you’ll join us on this journey and see the difference firsthand.