Persons with Disabilities and Social Networks: Do they Get Benefit?

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying the extent to which Saudi persons with disabilities get advantage of social networks. To this end; the researcher has built a study tool which comprised of a particular items distributed within 4 major domains namely: (cognitive, psychological, social, and vocational). After validity and reliability have been detected; the researcher administered it on a one hundred fifty participants (N=150) who had hearing, visual, and physical impairments. Results were analyzed in accordance with the following variables: (educational level, age, and type of disability). Results have shown that persons with disability got a benefit from social networks alongside with all domains except the vocational one, further, persons with visual impairment, and those participants who lay within 35 years and more of age category, and the secondary educational level were the less advantageous from social networks. Consequently, the researcher has drawn some recommendations which may maximize the opportunities of person with disabilities in making more progress and benefit from social networks.