The Representation of Neurodivergent Individuals in Radio Television Hong Kong's Television Series 'A Wall-Less World'

As the territory's sole public service broadcaster and a government department, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) bears a dual responsibility for disseminating information to the public and in assisting in constructing how the public understands emerging issues and marginalized social groups. This paper analyzes how neurodivergent individuals are (re)presented in "A Wall-less World," RTHK's decade-long television series dedicated to promoting social inclusiveness. We find that by using different filming genres, plots, and narratives, the series exposes and negotiates different understandings about disability and perspectives about the lived experience of neurodivergent individuals. Given RTHK's unique position in the industry, and more generally in Hong Kong, we argue that the series perform a social service function to inform their viewers by engaging and shaping the public discourse gradually towards the neurodiversity paradigm. We also suggest future directions for practitioners and researchers to continue to engage and advocate for the neurodivergent community.