Critical perspective
We're aware that simulating disabilities can — and should — be looked at critically. "Insight into learned coping strategies and the personal, often inventive techniques that matter most when living with a disability cannot remotely be reached in short-term simulations." (from Raul's article). Even so, we see the immersive VR experience as a way to contribute to awareness — for relatives, professionals, colleagues.
Article by Raul K.: https://raul.de/allgemein/disability-simulations-behinderung-als-event-oder-eine-gute-moeglichkeit-um-auf-barrieren-aufmerksam-zu-machen/
An example from everyday life
A concrete example: Michel works full-time at a non-profit that designs and runs adult and youth education programmes. His impairment from progressive retinal degeneration isn't visible — often imperceptible to people in his environment, or even forgotten.
So bags, packages and similar things sometimes end up in unexpected places, making this everyday environment potentially dangerous for Michel. Through the VIP Simulator he was able to show his colleagues, very strikingly, how he perceives his surroundings. They could "look through his eyes". Since then, fewer items end up in the way. The workplace has become safer.
Variation in how it presents
Because symptoms and disease courses vary widely between VIPs, simulations can only approximate one person's perception. We can show, by example, how people perceive their environment, but we explicitly don't claim to convey what it's like to live as a visually impaired person, the strategies they've developed, or the challenges they face.
Given the individuality and complexity of the topic, it matters to us to embed the VR experience in a broader educational programme that uses simulation to draw attention and build awareness. So besides simple presence at conferences and other events, we offer comprehensive educational and workshop concepts in which VR is used as a tool while being content- and pedagogy-anchored.