Project team members:

• Assoc. Prof. Iva Hrastinski, PhD
• Tomislav Radošević, assistant
• Marija Jozipović, assistant

Associates:

• Marina Borčić, mag. logoped.

The project focuses on examining the level of literacy (reading and writing), as well as linguistic and non-linguistic predictors of these skills, in upper primary school children, secondary school students, and adults with prelingual hearing impairment in the Republic of Croatia. International research shows that, on average, prelingually deaf individuals achieve significantly lower literacy results than their hearing peers, which limits their educational, professional, and social opportunities. In Croatia, systematic and empirically grounded research on this topic is extremely scarce, making it difficult to develop effective educational and rehabilitation strategies. The main goal of the project is to examine literacy levels and their linguistic and non-linguistic predictors. The specific objectives are to: (1) establish a database (registry) of contacts and information on individuals with prelingual hearing impairment and professionals working with them, (2) develop and validate online tasks for assessing literacy levels and their predictors, and (3) conduct digital testing with target and control groups. All tasks will be adapted for online implementation, ensuring broader participant reach, logistical efficiency, and modern applicability in scientific and professional contexts. For the first time in Croatia, the linguistic and non-linguistic predictors of reading and writing, as well as literacy levels among individuals with prelingual hearing impairment, will be examined in detail across developmental stages (from childhood to adulthood), providing insight into developmental patterns and differences compared to the hearing population. The project introduces innovations in the development and validation of tasks for assessing language and literacy skills adapted for use through a digital research platform, which have potential for practical application. It will also establish a registry of individuals with prelingual hearing impairment and professionals, and organize training for professionals in the digital application of assessment tasks. In the long term, the project may contribute to reducing educational inequality and strengthening the social inclusion of individuals with hearing impairment.