Smartphone applications as a source of digital culture for people with disabilities: A study on a sample of people with hearing disabilities in Assiut Governorate.

.The study aimed to identify the applications preferred by the hearing impaired from smartphone applications, to know the motives for use, to evaluate their use and their role in their proficiency in dealing with modern technology and their access to information, and to know the role of phone applications for the hearing-impaired and hard of hearing in their commercial transactions and search for a job and work. The study concluded that the Google application is the most used application, with an average use of (4.8), which indicates that the sample’s tendency is very high, followed by the Facebook application with an average of (4.3), then the WhatsApp application. It also showed that the least used application is the Zoom application; It has only recently become widespread during the COVID-19 crisis. The average score is 1.5, indicating a weak trend among the sample. The majority (80%) reported a positive impact of apps on their use of technology, and the degree of benefit from apps in mastering the use of modern technology was very high. The study showed that using the apps was easy and did not require training, as reported by 56% of the study sample. The top rank in use was for following general news and entertainment. Analyzing the results reveals that apps have a positive impact on shaping and developing digital culture. The study recommended strengthening the technological infrastructure and designing modern applications that facilitate interaction with society for people with special needs.