Instagram Stories and Self-Expression among Nonverbal Individuals with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia: Implications for Inclusion

Abdelrahim  Fathy Ismail; Mohammad Tashtoush; Mohamad  A. Khasawneh; Rawan  Abdul Mahdi Neyef Al-Saliti; Musallam  Nabil Alrosan; Alaaeldin  Ahmed Hamid; Maryam  Ahmed Alomair; Sultan  Mubarak Almughyirah

doi:10.48161/qaj.v6n3a2479

Authors

Abdelrahim Fathy Ismail Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5977-6124
Mohammad A. Tashtoush Faculty of Education and Arts, Sohar University, Sohar 311, Oman; Jadara University Research Center, Jadara University, Irbid 21110, Jordan; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2436-8155
Mohamad A. Khasawneh Special Education Department, College of Education, King Khalid University, Abha 61421 Saudi Arabia; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1390-3765
Rawan Abdul Mahdi Neyef Al-Saliti College of Educational Sciences, Ajloun National University, Ajloun 26810, Jordan; https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2281-7851
Musallam Nabil Alrosan Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9078-6333
Alaaeldin Ahmed Hamid Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4926-1495
Maryam Ahmed Alomair Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
Sultan Mubarak Almughyirah Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5644-4063

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v6n3a2479

Keywords:

Digital inclusion, Instagram stories, Multimodality, Assistive communication, Inclusive design, Accessibility, Online safety, Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), Saudi Arabia, Social participation.

Abstract

This qualitative case study examines how nonverbal individuals with disabilities in Saudi Arabia use INSTAGRAM stories to express themselves, maintain social presence, and participate in online communities. Drawing on platform affordance theory, multimodality, and critical digital inclusion perspectives, the study addresses a gap in research on how ephemeral and multimodal social media features support communication for users who encounter substantial barriers to spoken interaction. Data were collected from twelve adult participants through semi-structured interviews and a three-month review of consented Instagram Stories artifacts. The data were examined using a hybrid thematic analysis that combined deductive coding aligned with the research questions and inductive coding of emergent patterns across interview accounts and story artifacts. findings show that stories functioned as a low-pressure daily diary, a multimodal communication space, and a means of confidence-building and peer connection. participants used images, short videos, music, emojis, stickers, captions, and interactive tools not as decorative features but as communicative resources for expressing emotion, achievement, frustration, and identity. However, participation was constrained by device and connectivity inequalities, limited compatibility with AAC and assistive technologies, interface complexity, privacy concerns, and fear of ableist harassment. the study contributes to educational technology and inclusive design by showing that digital inclusion for nonverbal users depends not only on access to platforms but also on meaningful, safe, and user-controlled participation. The article concludes with user-informed recommendations for accessible Story authoring, stronger moderation, assistive-technology compatibility, and collaboration with disability organizations.

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