A lady in a wheelchair considers her employment options, which are increasing in Shanghai these days. [Photo/Shanghai Observer] 

When Tingting (alias) was a child, she dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, her hearing loss dashed her dreams, leading her to pursue a career as the manager of LiLi Time Café located on East Mengzi Road in Shanghai's Huangpu district.

The LiLi Time Café on East Mengzi Road, where Tingting works as the manager. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Shanghai is home to nearly 110,000 disabled individuals of working age, like Tingting. As of the end of last year, about 55,600 of them had secured employment. 

For these individuals, employment is not just about finding a job – it also concerns the quality of the work, their self-respect and independence.

A jobseeker talks with recruiters at the jobs fair for disabled university graduates. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

In a recent development, a special jobs fair for disabled university graduates was held at the Sunshine 201, the Shanghai Municipal Disability Employment Service Center. 

More than 10 esteemed companies, including Sony (China), Inditex Group and Pacific Insurance, extended numerous job vacancies at the event.

A consultant offers career guidance and counseling for disabled jobseekers. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Well before the jobs fair opened its doors for business, many eager jobseekers had gathered at Sunshine 201. 

The participating companies offered positions that were internally screened to be suitable for folks with disabilities. The roles included training assistants, e-commerce customer service representatives, recruitment specialists, cashiers, baristas and interior decorators. 

On the day of the fair, 105 disabled people participated, with 36 percent of the applicants being hired.

Daikin Air-conditioning Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd, located in Xinzhuang Industrial Park, has been recruiting disabled employees since 2005. To date, it has recruited a total of 114 disabled individuals, with 52 currently employed, excluding those who have departed or retired.

Daikin has two sign language teachers to ensure effective communications between disabled and non-disabled staff. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Shanghai's landscape for disabled employment is evolving, with a broader range of opportunities emerging and a more inclusive work environment taking shape.

Source: Shanghai Observer