RNIB Eyeware – Seeing the World Differently

Client: RNIB

Imagine struggling to read a train timetable, order a coffee, or recognize a friend’s face—not just once, but every single day. For over two million people in the UK with sight loss, these challenges are a constant reality. Yet, for many without lived experience, sight loss remains an abstract concept.

RNIB Eyeware changes that.

A collaboration between Zappar and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), this innovative mixed reality (MR) experience lets users step into the world of sight loss. By simulating ten common eye conditions in 360° real-world environments, it challenges users with everyday tasks—navigating a busy street, reading labels, or using a touchscreen—while showing the real barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people.

More than just a tech demo, RNIB Eyeware is a catalyst for change. From UX designers rethinking digital accessibility to policymakers shaping inclusive public spaces, it’s already influencing product design, corporate training, and urban planning. Early results speak for themselves—95% of users reported a greater understanding of sight loss challenges after using the app.

What makes RNIB Eyeware groundbreaking isn’t just its technology—it’s the way it blends education, empathy, and action. Through real-life stories, interactive challenges, and cost-effective accessibility (via VR viewers like Google Cardboard and Zapbox), it transforms sight loss from an abstract issue into a deeply personal, unforgettable experience.

This is Tech for Good at its best—leveraging immersive technology to build understanding, drive inclusion, and inspire real-world change.