China News Service, Suining, September 23. Title: Employment experience of disabled people in Suining, Sichuan: Car washes "rush" to boost confidence, convenience stores "sweep" to bring hope
Author Wang Liwen
At the "Exquisite Horse Wash" car wash in the Panlong Community Employment Complex, Ping'an Street, Shehong City, Sichuan, bursts of high-pressure water cannons broke the afternoon tranquility. 25-year-old Wu Hao held the water pressure gun tightly, and the water flow accurately washed through every gap in the car body. He turned around and asked his new colleagues to spray foam together. The two of them cooperated tacitly. In less than 30 minutes, a car covered in mud was brand new and glowing in the sun.
The picture shows a disabled young man washing a vehicle. Photo by Wang Liwen
"This is my first official job. I was very happy after I got the salary." Wu Hao is a mentally disabled young man. He was idle at home for three or four years after he became ill. He once felt that "this life is over" and he often remained silent all day long. In September last year, he came to this community employment complex through recruitment information. After receiving his first salary, he bought T-shirts for his mother, supplements for his grandparents, and invited all his colleagues to drink milk tea. His personality became much more cheerful. "When the car is washed clean and handed over to the customer, the sense of accomplishment is particularly healing." Wu Hao wiped his sweat and smiled brightly.
In this centralized employment center for people with mental disabilities, there are still many employees like Wu Hao. In the "Jinghui Supermarket" on the other side of the complex, disabled employee Li Lei is busy sorting the shelves. She was once rejected by a takeaway packaging job because of her slow response. Now she has learned cashiering and shelving here. "My colleagues and teachers are very kind to me. I have a stable income at home and have paid social security. This feels really good."
The picture shows a disabled store clerk placing products. Photo by Wang Liwen
Panlong Community Employment Complex is Suining City's first centralized community employment point for disabled people. It mainly targets mildly mentally disabled people and integrates medical rehabilitation, skills training, auxiliary employment, and convenient services. Zhang Wei, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Shehong City Disabled Persons' Federation, introduced that this model integrates the employment services of "Exquisite Horse Washing", "Exquisite Supermarket" and "Exquisite Art Workshop" into the community's "15-minute service circle". Since its completion last year, 30 people have been added to the auxiliary employment.
Leaving the community complex, we came to the disabled service hut next to the Shehong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. 39-year-old Yang Wu stood behind the checkout counter of a convenience store, scanning QR codes, collecting payments, and handing over bags with one hand, with skillful movements. He suffered a cerebral infarction due to rheumatic heart disease and was left with inconvenience on his left side. "I have been lying around at home for a long time, and I feel very decadent." Yang Wu said that now his monthly income is stable and various benefits are provided. "The work is relaxed and happy, and I get along well with my colleagues."
When encountering patients with mobility difficulties, Yang Wu would personally deliver nursing pads and urinals to the hospital bed. When a patient is depressed, he will use his own experience to enlighten them. "They are very grateful after hearing this, and sometimes they come here to go shopping just to say 'thank you.'" He said with a smile, "After working here, I am full of hope for tomorrow."
The picture shows a convenience store clerk carrying goods to the hospital for delivery. Photo by Wang Liwen
In the hospital, Tang Hui, a physically disabled attendant, once helped a sixty-year-old man complete a medical treatment process that originally took more than half a day in less than two hours. He won the patient's gratitude with his professionalism and efficiency. Ren Yi, the person in charge of the disabled convenience service hut, said that this convenience store is the first batch of pilot projects of Shehong City's "Technology Comprehensive Service Platform for Disabled Assistance". It coordinates public welfare funds and introduces JD.com's brand resources to provide 8 disabled people with positions such as cashier, shopping guide, and medical escort.
Data show that the employment rate of certified disabled people in Suining City reaches 80.14%, ranking among the top in Sichuan Province. "I hope to make the mental rehabilitation community model bigger and stronger, serve more disabled people, and allow people with mental disabilities to have a fair chance of employment." Wu Hao's wish on the wish wall of the complex expresses the aspirations of many disabled people.
From the rainbow spraying from the water gun in the car wash, to the smooth sound of code scanning at the checkout counter of the convenience store, to the thanks from hospital patients... these images are outlining the innovative path for the employment of disabled people in Suining, Sichuan. When disability is no longer a barrier, when every effort can be seen and respected, these people who shine in ordinary positions are using their hands to "rush" out self-confidence, "sweep" hope, and move forward steadily on the road to integration into society.
