Shengjie Yao, Rongrong, and Xiaoji. They are all people with disabilities. They are also somebody’s brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. They are also employees of Inclusion Factory.
Four months with the Suzhou Broadcasting System (SBS) full of hard work later, we invite you to go on a journey with our documentary “There is Light”. Let’s explore places where the light shines!
With this video, we hope to let more people know that everyone has the right for equality in employment. These talented people with intellectual disabilities are typically seen as different. They do not lack the skills, they lack the opportunities to showcase their skills. Are you someone who is willing to give them a chance?
December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This purpose of this day is to promote people’s understanding of the issue of disabilities, as well as mobilize their support for the dignity, rights, and happiness of persons with disabilities.
On this day, we had a chat with Marina, Director of Training and Development at Inclusion Factory, who took us on a short journey to get to know and understand “them”:
As the first factory set up by a German corporation in China for the welfare of persons with disabilities, the Inclusion Factory has committed itself to providing job opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities and supporting them to be better included in the society.
Today, there are 35 employees in the factory, majority of whom are persons intellectual disabilities.
Here, they work, having a stable income; they have also increased their capabilities, making new friends, and live more dignified lives.
Last year, five female employees with intellectual disabilities became fashion models and were part of a photoshoot for Zurita – a Spanish women’s fashion brand, showcasing that beauty belong to All.
This year, more than 900 square meters of space was designed and built with the plan to increase the number of employees in the factory to 50, so that more persons with intellectual disabilities will have employment opportunities.
“You work, they also work. You have dreams, so do they. We are actually all alike.”
To Marina, there are more similarities than differences between persons with disabilities and those without.
Everyone’s passion for life and hope for the future are the same.
In recent years, Taicang’s idea to “build a well-off society holistically without leaving persons with disabilities behind” has allowed more persons with disabilities to gain employment and be included into society.
Marina has been observing these movement.
She happily embraces the various changes, while also considering how more people can join in breaking down the “invisible wall” between persons with disabilities and those without.
Marina says that changing the “hardware” is the easy part. What is difficult to change is the “software”.
Hope that more families of persons with disabilities will change their mindset and attitudes and encourage their family members with disabilities to go out of their homes to work.
Hope that more people will interact with persons with disabilities on an equal level, not to pity people with disabilities, but rather listen, understand, and provide them with more opportunities.
Let us all live freely under the sun,
pursue a better and more inclusive society,
We are on the way.
Reporter Xu Jing/Caption Chen Yichuan/Video
On the evening of May 30th, Taicang Inclusion Factory was honored to become winner of the “More than a Market Awards” for outstanding efforts in social engagement. After being the winner in 2016, Inclusion Factory won this year again with their project “Inclusion Advisory”.
Inclusion Factory has been engaged in facilitating the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities into society through vocational training and meaningful employment. In 2018, the company launched the Inclusion Advisory with the aim to provide professional support to enterprises that are seeking to employ people with intellectual disabilities in their operations.
Flex, one of the world top 500 electronics manufacturer, was the first to heed the call. In 2018, Flex decided to venture even further. After an intensive cooperation with the Taicang Inclusion Advisory, the two partners created Flex’s Mechanical Inclusive Factory; currently hiring 10 people with intellectual disabilities working in a production line. After having received “More than a Market Award”, the Inclusion Advisory hopes to further promote its model of inclusive employment into companies around China. We hope that even more people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from it and find a meaningful employment.
The Taicang Inclusion Factory would like to thank Taicang municipal government and the Taicang Economy Development Area Bureau for awarding our project with the 2017 social responsibility award!
The inclusion Factory project could not have become a reality without the strong cooperation, outstanding support and innovative spirit of the Taicang Local government!
Taicang is known for setting the standards for High-quality manufacturing and solid cooperation with foreign enterprises; Now, Taicang is also known for its leading role in promoting social inclusion and the creation of equal opportunities for people with disabilities in our society!
Thank you!
And may we have an even more prosperous 2018, together!
一圈，两圈，三圈。滕希将一个锥形弹簧套在螺钉上，弹簧由密到梳，他拧完最后一圈停手，微蹙的眉头解开，脸上绽出笑容，说了一句“YES！”
滕希是一名心智障碍者，今年是他在江苏太仓中德善美实业有限公司（下称“中德善美”）工作的第三年。这是他第一次组装排风扇。培训师花了大概半小时，教他把扇板、插杆、瓷座等逐步组装成排风扇部件，最后一步就是安装锥形弹簧的“天线”。
组装有6个步骤，对滕希来说并不容易。“他们都很聪明，但最大的挑战是记忆力。”培训师魏欣彤说，重复多次后可以完全掌握，但如果一段时间不做，教会的东西又会忘记。学会之后，他们完成一个零部件的时间大约是普通人的两到三倍。
下班后，滕希在朋友圈发了四张自己的工作照，说“培训师让我做新的活”。在中德善美，滕希还有二十个同为心智障碍者的同事。他们每天的工作时间不到7小时，月工资有1800多元，享有五险一金、双休日和法定假期。
Suzhou Juyuan, 81 Beijing East Road, Taicang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China 215400
中国江苏省苏州市太仓市北京东路81号 苏州巨元 邮编：215400
t: +86 (0) 512 5386 3602
