Reimagining Disability Inclusion in Hong Kong: A Transdisciplinary Analysis of Legal and Cultural Dynamics

Abstract This study examines disability inclusion in Hong Kong, focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a lens for understanding invisible disabilities, through a transdisciplinary approach combining legal, psychological, sociological and cultural perspectives. It explores two core questions: the link between autistic masking, social stigma and wellbeing, and how disability law can transition from a medical to a social and rights-based model. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research integrates comparative legal analysis of the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) with a literature review and an online survey of 83 Hong Kong residents (19 autistic, 64 non-autistic). Results show that 63.2% of autistic respondents mask their traits due to stigma, correlating with anxiety and identity loss, while 78.9% feel misrepresented by stereotypes. Non-autistic respondents report high comfort with autistic individuals (e.g., 84.8% for neighbours), but this declines in closer contexts (e.g., 69.7% for colleagues), indicating superficial acceptance. Legally, the DDO’s reactive accommodation duty and passive enforcement lag behind proactive international models, overburdening individuals to advocate for themselves. The study recommends legal reforms—proactive accommodations and stronger enforcement—and cultural shifts via education to enhance inclusion. Limited by a student-heavy sample and a lack of alternative communication methods, future research should broaden participant diversity and examine intersectionality. This work underscores the need for Hong Kong to align legal and cultural frameworks to support authentic disability inclusion. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Social Stigma; Legal Reform; Invisible Disabilities; Neurodiversity