Chongqing - Hu Chuan has held the same position for a decade—a job that helped him overcome his inferiority complex since childhood due to his congenital low vision, and become the self-reliant, confident individual he aspired to be.
Disabled employees work in the production workshop of Far Sight Group. (Photo/Guo Shuyu)
He vividly recalls his first day at Far Sight Group, located in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, on November 23, 2015. Before that day, he had been repeatedly rejected by other companies—a predicament for most disabled job seekers. Since joining Far Sight’s wastewater treatment unit, Hu has progressed from apprentice to independent operator.
For a printing company, wastewater treatment is a crucial part of the production process. Hu’s limited vision is offset by acute hearing, creating his unique treatment approach. He adjusts valves based on the sound of rushing water and replaces filters when machines clatter. His employer installed night reflective stripes along his inspection route to support his work and switched logbooks from A4 to A3-sized sheets for easier readability.
Hu takes pride in transforming murky wastewater into clear water and finds fulfillment in the company's trust in him. “They trust me with decisions such as on material purchasing and equipment maintenance,” Hu said with a sincere smile.
Outside work, he learned to play the Guzheng (a Chinese zither) and started a side business with this instrument - he sells over 100 units annually. “My decade at Far Sight has changed my life. The company’s history and culture make me feel belong and give me confidence,” Hu reflected.
Founded in 1992 in southwestern China by six partners—three of whom had disabilities—Far Sight Group has upheld a disability-inclusive ethos. Now, Far Sight Group generates approximately 300 million yuan (41.04 million USD) in annual output, with over 40% of its employees being people with disabilities.
Far Sight Group is located in Liangjiang New Area. (Photo/Far Sight Group)
The company adapts positions to the capacities of disabled employees - hearing-or-speech-impaired staff operate small printing equipment, and those with physical disabilities handle technical and production tasks such as typesetting or printing operations.
Zhang Shuang, Chairman of Far Sight Group, noted that disabled employees have driven the company’s growth through exceptional performance. Disabled employees have contributed key insights to 18 patented inventions.
Competitive salaries reflect their impact. With an average monthly pay reaching 7,000 yuan at Far Sight, disabled employees in technical roles earn up to 20,000 yuan.
Far Sight’s support for disabled employees extends to finance and mental well-being. A charity fund, initiated by Zhang with a donation of 100 thousand yuan, allocates 0.01% of the company’s annual revenue. The fund addresses special needs such as medical expenses and children’s education for disabled employees.
The disabled employees association, funded and staff-assisted by the company, organizes activities like outings for employees with disabilities. Hu Chuan, who holds a leadership role in the association, remarks, “The company trusts and supports us, and the atmosphere here truly feels like family.”