For Yin Hua, a disabled college graduate, yesterday was an unforgettable day as she finally found a job after being turned down repeatedly over the past few months.
Yin, suffering from facial paralysis, was recruited by a foreign company in Pudong District as a translator. A Shanghai University of Economics and Finance graduate, she is satisfied with her new career and the 1,000 yuan (US$120) monthly salary.
So far 52 of the city's 56 disabled college graduates have found jobs. Two-thirds work in foreign firms, with average monthly salary exceeding 1,000 yuan, according to the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation.
Of the remaining, three have decided to study further, while the other jobless has mental problems, officials revealed.
"It's really difficult for disabled to find jobs. Many companies have a deep-rooted bias that the handicapped will add to their burden," said Zhou Zhihua of the federation.
"We hope society offers them more opportunities because they are competent for many jobs," she added.
Zhou pointed out that few people in the city know sign language, which makes it difficult for the deaf and dumb to find decent positions.
With more handicapped receiving higher education, the federation hopes to diversify job avenues for them in the future.
In the past five years, 149 disabled were admitted by local colleges and universities, double the figure from 1994 to 1998.
However, they mostly work as masseurs or do simple jobs in welfare community factories.
(Eastday.com July 16, 2003)
