Simulation Activities

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated November 22, 2025
Introducing team members, educators, and peers to the experiences of individuals who are blind or visually impaired can be a powerful experience. Simulation activities offer participants a limited glimpse into the challenges faced by individuals with vision loss, fostering empathy, awareness, and enhanced support. 
Important Note: Simulating visual impairment does not replicate the lived experience. Individuals without visual impairments rely on prior visual memory and experiences, which gives them an advantage. These activities are designed to foster understanding, rather than mimic or minimize the real experiences of individuals with vision loss.

​Safety First

Safety is essential when conducting any movement-based or vision-simulation activities. To ensure a secure learning environment:
  • Assign a sighted guide or monitor to each participant. Every individual should have a trained partner responsible for guiding, monitoring, and assisting throughout the activity.
  • Ensure clear, unobstructed paths. Remove tripping hazards, clutter, or unstable objects. Verify that floors are dry, walkways are wide enough, and furniture is safely positioned.
  • Provide clear verbal instruction and consistent supervision. Use precise, calm, and consistent verbal cues. Maintain active supervision at all times to monitor safety, reinforce expectations, and respond immediately if assistance is needed.
Prioritizing safety protects participants while supporting a meaningful and respectful learning experience.

​Simulation with an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist

O&M simulations are particularly valuable for demonstrating the challenges of safe navigation. Suggested activities include:
  • Locate rooms or areas in a hallway using verbal prompts or labeled cards (in print or braille).
  • Identify an exterior doorway and exit safely.
  • Navigate outdoors to locate a specific car, bus, or designated area.
  • Walk through varied lighting conditions (e.g., from bright to dim lighting).
  • Use a vending machine with simulated low vision.
  • Locate and operate a water fountain.
  • Identify specific objects in familiar and unfamiliar classrooms.
  • Use a set of keys to unlock a door.
  • Navigate the cafeteria line, carry a tray, and select items independently.

​Simulation with a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)

TVIs can facilitate simulations that focus on academic and daily living challenges. Activities may include:
Motor and Daily Living Skills
  • Play catch with balls of varying sizes and textures (beach ball, tennis ball, etc.).
  • Clean a tabletop and sweep crumbs from the floor.
  • Participate in a “potluck” meal where participants read and interpret food labels in various font sizes.
  • Assemble a simple snack (e.g., spreading peanut butter or cream cheese on bread or crackers).
Academic Access
  • Watch an educational video and take a quiz on visual content.
  • Copy from the board or take notes during a simulated lecture.
  • Locate pages, read diagrams, or find glossary terms in a textbook or worksheet.
  • Search for specific websites or online content.
  • Read a menu or flyer to find items.
  • Complete a word search or "I Spy" activity within a time limit to demonstrate visual fatigue or missed content.

Vision Simulation Kits & Resources...

  • The Zimmerman Low Vision Simulation Kit contains goggles and interchangeable visual acuity and visual pathology simulations, as well as peripheral field restriction simulations that allow family, friends, colleagues, and those who work with individuals who have low vision, to better understand the effect that low vision has on mobility, learning, employment, and activities of daily living.
  • Fork in the Road Vision Rehabilitation Services offers simulators that provide a reasonably accurate picture of some of the functional limitations and abilities that may be experienced with different types of visual impairments.
  • APH’s "Getting to Know You: A Social Skills and Ability Awareness Curriculum" kit engages both visually impaired and sighted children in an interactive curriculum designed to promote awareness and understanding of how visually impaired individuals develop social skills. Vision simulator goggles are included in the kit.

App-Based Simulations

  • VisionSim (Braille Institute) is a free iOS (iPhone/iPad) app. Simulates nine eye conditions,, including: age-related macular degeneration, Cataracts, Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma, and Retinitis pigmentosa
  • ColorDeBlind App is an iOS app that currently costs $0.99.
  • Color Blind Pal (free, Android/iOS) or Chromatic Vision Simulator for simulating color blindness are other options

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