VOLIS is an online platform that contains various tests for assessing Italian Sign Language (LIS) comprehension skills in signing children, from 4 to 11 years of age. The consequences of some difficulties such as deafness, cognitive impairments and autism spectrum disorder may affect learning, social interaction and broad communicative skills. The use of LIS may support children that have difficulties in acquiring and using a using spoken languages. In order to detect and overcome possible barriers in Sign Language acquisition, it is necessary to have reliable tools for the evaluation of educational and rehabilitative programs in which a sign language is used, in order to develop effective speech therapy programs and didactic proposals. Some tests can also be used to verify LIS skills of hearing adults who attend courses to learn LIS.
It is estimated that there may be at least 300 different Sign Languages around the world, but the research and study of Sign Languages and their users is still relatively new (compared to vocal languages, that is), as it started around 1960. Furthermore, along with the 80% of all spoken languages in the whole world, none of these Sign Languages has yet its own writing system. As of today, there’s still a scarcity of linguistic assessment tools that are specific for and/or tailored to Sign Languages. Some of the innovative features of this platform are its complete online presence/availability and the use of evaluation tools that have not been translated or adapted from other languages, but have been specifically developed for LIS users and LIS assessment.