Building a global congress capable of combining scientific research, empathy, and social impact, while redefining the very concept of "vision", this was the goal of VISION 2025, the World Congress of the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), which brought over 700 participants from 58 countries to Florence. An event designed to go beyond the technical and clinical lens, and place the individual at the center, exploring visual impairment as a daily, social, and cultural experience. OIC Group was proud to support this initiative alongside Fondazione Destination Florence and Firenze Fiera, united by a shared mission: to deliver an experience that was accessible, sustainable, and deeply human.
How do you design a scientific event that is both highly technical and deeply human? The challenge was twofold: on one hand, to ensure top-level scientific quality for an international faculty of outstanding expertise; on the other, to create an inclusive, engaging, and accessible space able to welcome professionals, caregivers, institutions, and associations. The chosen venue, the Palazzo dei Congressi in Florence, required meticulous attention to every logistical and sensory detail, within an urban setting rich in history yet needing to be fully accessible to those living with low vision.
The design vision came to life through a multisensory, multidimensional event where every element was crafted to place the human experience at the center. Alongside the clinical sessions, participants engaged in immersive activities such as the tactile journey at the Uffizi Gallery, visits to the Guide Dog School and the Braille Printing House of the Tuscany Region, as well as thematic workshops and experiential labs. Our team supported every phase of the project with an integrated approach, including a dedicated editorial strategy designed to extend the value of content and community well beyond the event itself. Every detail reflected a single, clear goal: to rethink low vision care with clarity, dignity, and impact.
VISION 2025 demonstrated what happens when science meets empathy, and when “vision” becomes a collective mission. The event transformed Florence into an international hub of dialogue, accessibility, and social innovation. For OIC, it was a unique opportunity to reaffirm the value of experience design that places people at the center, both inside and beyond the congress hall.
