Chongqing - In the buzzing factory of Chongqing Xinrenhe Die-Casting, rows of custom-height stools stand out amid the hum of machines. Specially designed for workers with physical disabilities, they support not just daily tasks, but stable careers and family livelihoods.

Since day one, the company has been committed to hiring and supporting people with disabilities and leaving no one behind. This auto parts maker in Liangjiang New Area has 224 disabled staff who precision-grind and clean parts for cars, motorcycles, and general-use engines.

Chen Wenxiu has worked on her specially tailored high stool in the cleaning workshop for over a decade. At her retirement age, the company rehired her for her skills and dedication. 

Wearing a mask and ear protectors, Chen skillfully removes flaws from aluminum alloy parts. Only the crutch beside her workstation reveals her right-leg disability—a result of a severe burn she suffered at age one.

Chen Wenxiu peels away imperfections from aluminum alloy parts. (Photo/Chongqing Xinrenhe Die-Casting)

Limited by her education and physical challenges, Chen eked out a living doing simple farm work in her rural hometown. In 2006, Xinrenhe's recruitment information encouraged Chen with its explicit welcome of applicants with disabilities. She applied and has worked for the company ever since.

"The company provides dormitories and a canteen, and it has become our home," Chen says. Her husband, Dai Dejun, who also has a disability, works alongside her. Their wages support their two healthy children, cover expenses, and allow them to save. "Life now is truly happy," Chen adds.

Xinrenhe recruits people with disabilities from surrounding areas, relying heavily on peer referrals. Many new hires are drawn by the trust built within local communities, where word spreads that the workshop offers genuine care and inclusive opportunities.

For deaf workers like Dai Jijun, the workshop feels silent despite the roar of machinery and clanging metal. Unbothered by the noise, Dai concentrates fully on his task, steadily guiding his tool to smooth out each component with precision.

Dai joined the company in 2020 and was trained by fellow deaf employee He Yuehong. After five years, Dai has honed his expertise to become a vital technical asset in the workshop.

At Xinrenhe, disability inclusion spans work and life. The company installed an accessibility elevator in its canteen, provides targeted financial subsidies, and reimburses Spring holiday travel for employees with disabilities.

Disabled and able-bodied employees work side-by-side at Xinrenhe. (Photo/Wang Yantong)

A holistic approach has nurtured an inclusive culture where connections flourish. Volunteer sign language instructor He Yuehong helps bridge communication gaps on the factory floor. And even when words fall short, years of working together have built a quiet understanding that blurs the lines between disabled and able-bodied colleagues.