HaDi | Growing up together

Our mission at HaDi is to provide an online platform that is both fun and educational, with the goal of empowering Hispanic children dealing with dyslexia. We want to provide accessible and engaging games that not only improve their cognitive skills, but also foster their self-esteem and promote the involvement of their families in their learning.

We envision a future where every child, regardless of economic status or geographic location, has access to effective interventions and educational resources. We want to contribute to improving their academic success and overall well-being.

At HaDi, we are guided by core values that are essential to our mission. Accessibility is paramount: we are committed to ensuring that our games and resources are accessible to everyone, no matter what barrier they face.
In addition, we believe in empowering these children. We want to provide them with tools and opportunities to develop their cognitive skills, increase their self-esteem and reach their full potential.

Education is another fundamental pillar for us. We are dedicated to raising awareness about dyslexia and its impact on learning. We also promote the importance of early intervention and support for children with the disorder within their families and communities.

Innovation is at our core. We strive to continually improve our platform to better meet the changing needs of children with dyslexia. We leverage technology and collaborate with experts in the field to achieve this.

Finally, we value inclusivity. We recognize the unique strengths and challenges of each child with this disorder, and we ensure that our platform is inclusive and supports their individual learning development.

With these guiding principles, HaDi strives to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of Hispanic children with dyslexia by fostering a culture of learning, empowerment and inclusion.

HaDi's team leader, Juan Pablo Cossi, plays a multi-faceted role critical to the success of the organization. As founder, developer and CEO, Juan Pablo's leadership is critical to driving HaDi's vision and mission. His personal connection to dyslexia, through his cousin Bruno, underscores his passion and commitment to serving the needs of people with this disorder.

His responsibilities include website development, strategic decision making and stakeholder engagement. He actively seeks input from dyslexia professionals, such as speech-language pathologists and educational psychologists, to ensure that HaDi's offerings effectively meet the needs of its users. In addition, by being awarded thanks to his expertise in research methodology, Juan Pablo contributes significantly to a strong research on the disorder, thus enriching the content and approach of the platform.

In a nutshell, Juan Pablo's leadership is characterized by innovation, empathy and dedication to improving the lives of children with dyslexia.

Since Juan Pablo, the team leader, has demonstrated a strong commitment to the HaDi platform and to the cause of helping Hispanic children with dyslexia, he is well positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project. 

Despite existing priorities within our organization, Juan Pablo and the team members have the flexibility and dedication necessary to successfully commit to a research-intensive project like LEAP.

First, he possesses a deep understanding of dyslexia disorder, both on a personal level and through his experience with his discourse of Greco-Latin literature on dyslexia and motivation, and his relationship with his cousin Bruno, who has the disorder. This unique perspective allows him to lead with empathy and understanding, which is critical to the design and development of HaDi.

In addition, he has demonstrated exceptional skills in methodological research, as evidenced by his recognition by the National University of Entre Rios (UNER) in this field. His expertise in research methodology gives him the ability to approach the LEAP project with rigor and precision, ensuring the quality of the data collected and the analysis performed.

As well, Juan Pablo's support team is composed of committed and competent members that complement his skills and strengths. These team members have expertise in key areas such as web development, educational game design and psycho-pedagogy, allowing them to bring a variety of perspectives and knowledge to the LEAP project.

Despite other responsibilities and priorities within our organization, Juan Pablo and his team are willing to commit the time necessary to meet the expectations of the LEAP Project. They are prepared to dedicate 3-4 hours of work per week during the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, thus ensuring that the project moves steadily and effectively towards its goals.

There is no doubt that Juan Pablo and his team are well positioned to provide strong support to the LEAP Project because of their commitment, experience, and ability to dedicate the time necessary to carry out a successful research-intensive project.

"HaDi: Web platform to stimulate cognitive skills in Hispanic children with dyslexia through didactic and fun games."

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD) of neurobiological origin, characterized by the presence of difficulties in accuracy and fluency in word recognition (written) and by a deficit in decoding (reading) and spelling skills. These difficulties are a consequence of a deficit in the phonological component of language and occur unexpectedly when other cognitive skills are developing normally and reading instruction is adequate.

It is estimated that 10% of the population has dyslexia. However, only 33% of children with this disorder receive the necessary professional attention. This is worrying, considering that learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, cause 65% of school failure. In addition, children with dyslexia face exclusions and lack of regulation, which further hinders their access to education and the necessary support.

The lack of regulation and the absence of detection and intervention protocols in most of the Autonomous Communities pose an urgent need for action. Although countries such as Spain recognize the right to specific attention in the Education Law, many children with the disorder face barriers to receiving adequate intervention and support. This situation highlights the importance of effective and accessible solutions to address the unique difficulties faced by people with dyslexia.

In this context, initiatives such as HaDi take on significant importance by providing tools and resources that help improve the cognitive skills and self-esteem of children with dyslexia. By offering educational and accessible games, HaDi not only seeks to strengthen early intervention and family support, but also to promote awareness and understanding of dyslexia in society.

HaDi works very simply and optimally: children can access the website from their computers, tablets or smartphones and explore a variety of games specifically designed to address the challenges associated with dyslexia.

Each game on the platform has a unique objective and is designed to improve specific skills that are important for children with dyslexia. For example, the memory game helps develop visual acuity, reflexes and attention, while the word guessing game is excellent for training phonological awareness, which is critical to overcoming the disorder. Other games, such as rewriting text or unscrambling words, help improve spelling, vocabulary and lexical access.

What makes HaDi special is that it uses cutting-edge technology, such as the latest version of Bootstrap, to ensure that the platform is easy to use and optimized for efficient performance across all devices. The platform is also completely free of charge, making it accessible to all families, regardless of their financial situation.

Our games (created with love and care) are fun and engaging, with colorful and dynamic illustrations that capture children's attention and keep them engaged in learning. In addition, the platform adapts to the needs of children with the disorder, providing a safe and supportive learning environment where they can practice and improve their skills without feeling judged or pressured.

To date, our organization has used a variety of methods to understand the effectiveness of our solution, HaDi. While we have not conducted formal research, we have conducted a thorough analysis of existing literature and consulted reliable sources to inform our approach.

Foundational research

We have drawn on previous dyslexia research and specialized education and health literature to understand the specific challenges faced by children with the disorder and how they can be effectively addressed. This includes reviewing academic studies, government reports, and news stories related to dyslexia.

Formative research

In addition to reviewing existing literature, we have actively sought feedback from experts and professionals in the field of dyslexia. My cousin, who has the disorder, has tried the HaDi platform and provided valuable feedback on his experience and the perceived usefulness of the games and activities. We have also consulted with a speech therapist and a psychotherapist, who have provided their professional perspective on how HaDi can complement traditional interventions and support children's cognitive development. This feedback has helped us to continually adjust and improve our platform to meet the specific needs of our target community.

While we recognize that our current evidence is based primarily on secondary sources and anecdotal observations, we are committed to continuing to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of HaDi as our project progresses. We are open to exploring collaborations and opportunities for more formal research in the future, with the goal of further strengthening our evidence base and ensuring that we are providing the best possible support for children with dyslexia in the Spanish-speaking world.

Our organization has gathered data and information from a variety of sources, including literature reviews, expert consultations, and user feedback, to better understand the effectiveness of our solution.

While we do not have rigorous quantitative data, we have collected qualitative observations and anecdotal insights that have provided us with valuable insights into the impact and utility of HaDi. Here are some key conclusions we have drawn from our data collection to date:

• Recognition of need: Our initial research confirmed the need for accessible and effective tools and resources to support Hispanic children with dyslexia. The lack of adequate resources in this language and the need for early intervention were highlighted as critical areas that our solution could address.
• Concept validation: Feedback from dyslexia and education experts has validated the idea of HaDi as a potentially useful tool to stimulate the cognitive skills of children with the disorder in an accessible and engaging way. Their support has given us confidence to continue developing and improving our platform.
• Identification of areas for improvement: User feedback, although anecdotal, has provided us with valuable insights into specific areas for improvement in HaDi's usability and functionality. This includes suggestions for adding new features, adjusting game difficulty, and improving accessibility on different devices.
• Motivation for the future: Despite current challenges and limitations, positive user feedback and recognition of HaDi's potential impact has motivated us to continue moving forward with our project. We are committed to continue to refine and improve our solution to better meet the needs of our target community.

This data has been instrumental in informing our work and guiding our future decisions. We are committed to continuing to collect and evaluate the effectiveness of HaDi as we move forward with our project, with the goal of providing the best possible support for Hispanic children with dyslexia.

The current moment presents a unique opportunity for HaDi to strengthen the empirical basis of its solution by participating in a LEAP project. Several factors converge to make this an opportune time to undertake such an initiative.

• Advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies:

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, there is growing interest and investment in leveraging AI to address various social challenges, including learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. Our solution can benefit significantly from incorporating AI-based approaches. By participating in a LEAP project, HaDi can explore the integration of cutting-edge AI techniques, such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, to enhance its offering and the effectiveness of its interventions.

• Evolving software development landscape:

The software development landscape is continuously evolving, with the emergence of new frameworks and libraries that facilitate the creation of innovative digital solutions. HaDi can take advantage of these advances by leveraging state-of-the-art frameworks and libraries to enhance the functionality and user experience of its platform. Staff can collaborate with software development experts to identify and integrate the most appropriate frameworks and libraries into their solution, thus remaining at the forefront of technological innovation in the field of dyslexia support.

• Focus on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design:

There is a growing emphasis on user experience (UX) and user interface design (UI) in the development of digital products and services. As HaDi seeks to provide a user-friendly and engaging experience for people with dyslexia, it is imperative to prioritize UX/UI enhancements. Working in this area will serve to conduct usability studies, collect user feedback and implement design improvements that improve the accessibility and usability of your platform

• Approach towards a future of inclusive education and sustainable development:

HaDi aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities). In accordance with SDG 4.2, HaDi ensures access to quality educational services from early childhood, preparing children for primary education. It also complies with SDG 4.a by building an inclusive educational environment that addresses the needs of children and persons with disabilities. While in SDG 10.2 HaDi contributes promoting the social and educational inclusion of all children, regardless of their individual differences. 

By taking advantage of these opportunities, we can improve our solution, expand our impact and solidify our position as a leader in supporting dyslexia.

How does the effectiveness of traditional phonics-based reading programs compare to multisensory reading interventions in improving reading skills among dyslexic students?

What are the underlying neurological mechanisms responsible for the difficulties dyslexic individuals experience in phonological processing?

What is the effectiveness of using gamified interventions compared to traditional tutoring methods in improving reading accuracy and speed in children with dyslexia?

The focus for LEAP Project sprint results will be on producing robust and enforceable research recommendations that strengthen the evidence base of our solution. During the 12 weeks of the project, intensive work will be done to develop strategies and tools that inform our approach to the continuous improvement of the HaDi platform.

In terms of specific approach, we hope to generate the following results:

Impact assessment tool: Create a comprehensive and validated impact assessment tool to assess HaDi's impact on the development of reading and writing skills in children with dyslexia in an objective and accurate manner. This tool will be designed to capture significant changes in users' cognitive and academic performance, using validated assessment scales, specific questions about the use and experience of the platform, and key performance metrics such as reading speed, spelling accuracy and reading comprehension.

Research Report: Prepare a detailed research report documenting the key findings of the LEAP project, including the results of impact assessments, study design recommendations and UX/UI strategies. This report will serve as an invaluable resource for sharing knowledge and lessons learned with the scientific community, health professionals and other stakeholders in the field of dyslexia and cognitive development.

UX/UI evaluation framework: Develop a specific evaluation framework for the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) of the HaDi platform. This framework will allow a systematic and detailed evaluation of the usability, accessibility and user satisfaction with the platform, identifying areas of improvement and optimization to ensure an optimal experience for users with dyslexia.

Following the conclusion of the LEAP Project sprint, our organization will put these outputs into action by:

1. Conducting usability studies: We will organize user testing sessions with children diagnosed with dyslexia to assess the effectiveness and user-friendliness of HaDi's games and features. This will involve observing how children interact with the platform, gathering feedback on their experiences, and identifying areas for improvement.
2. Developing case studies: We will collaborate with educational institutions or learning centers that specialize in supporting children with this disorder to create case studies showcasing the impact of HaDi on students' literacy skills and confidence levels. These case studies will highlight specific success stories and provide concrete evidence of the platform's effectiveness.
3. Implementing feasibility studies: We will explore the feasibility of integrating HaDi into existing educational curricula or intervention programs for dyslexia. This will involve consulting with educators, therapists, and administrators to understand the logistical and practical considerations of incorporating HaDi into their teaching practices.
4. Deploying monitoring and evaluation tools: We will develop a system for collecting quantitative and qualitative data on HaDi's usage and impact, including metrics such as user engagement, progress in literacy skills, and self-confidence levels. This will involve integrating data collection mechanisms into the platform and regularly analyzing the data to track progress and inform future iterations.

Our objective with these research methods is to gather thorough evidence of HaDi's effectiveness in supporting dyslexic children and to guide its ongoing development and refinement.

The desired long-term results of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for our organization and solution include:

Improved effectiveness: By incorporating research-driven ideas and recommendations, we anticipate that the HaDi platform will be more effective in supporting children with dyslexia, improving their reading skills and overall educational outcomes.

Increased accessibility: Through iterative improvements based on user feedback and data analysis, we aim to improve accessibility and usability of the HaDi platform, ensuring it remains inclusive and beneficial to all users, so that it can meet UN SDG 4 and 10.

Broader Impact: By establishing strong frameworks for evaluation and continuous improvement, we seek to create a sustainable model for continuous innovation and impact in the field of dyslexia education, ultimately contribute to the broader goal of reducing educational inequalities and promoting inclusive learning environments.