Does your workplace include colleagues who use wheelchairs? In China, over 85 million people live with disabilities, accounting for approximately 6% of the population. While this is not a negligible proportion, daily interactions between this group and the general public remain rare. Their lived experiences often go unnoticed, as if they exist on parallel tracks with little intersection—let alone workplace integration.

For people with disabilities, entering the workforce comes with numerous challenges: invisible barriers to entry, inadequate accessibility infrastructure, limited societal awareness, and narrow career options. Yet, many possess strong professional capabilities, excelling in core workplace competencies such as focus, patience, and responsibility.

Despite these hurdles, progress is underway. More companies are actively fostering inclusive environments by accommodating employees with disabilities. Meanwhile, individuals within this community are stepping forward, embracing opportunities to redefine their professional and personal lives.

**A 52-Year-Old National Taekwondo Champion** At the 12th National Paralympic Games in Huizhou, Yi Jianghong clinched gold in the women’s K41 +65kg taekwondo event. The 52-year-old from Zhuzhou, Hunan, stood atop the podium with a radiant smile—the oldest among the medalists. Her opponent, just 31, towered over her with a more robust physique.

“My mind went blank—I didn’t even have time to feel excited. My first thought was to share the news with my colleagues, family, and coach,” Yi recalled. She had taken a six-month leave from JD.com’s Sunshine Angels program, a remote customer service team for people with disabilities, to train in Changsha. Her manager offered unwavering support, though she still squeezed in work at night. “I owed it to my team,” she said.

Yi’s journey with taekwondo began unexpectedly. In 2022, a coach spotted her photo in a Sunshine Angels feature and noticed her dexterity in typing with her feet—a sign of lower-body strength ideal for the sport. At 49, with no prior athletic experience and having lived without arms for 30 years, Yi hesitated but took the leap. Her first kick landed awkwardly, spraining her ankle, yet she persisted.

Before joining JD.com in 2019, Yi had spent two decades in isolation after losing her arms at 19. “Those years were a void,” she admitted. The Sunshine Angels program became her lifeline, restoring her confidence. “Now I can proudly say I work at JD.com,” she beamed, noting how her earnings bought household appliances—a source of pride.

Training for the Paralympics demanded relentless discipline: 6–7 hours daily of drills, weight fluctuations from 85kg to 60kg and back. “If others can do it, so can I,” she asserted.

**The Power of Running** For Luo Shenghua, work was a gateway to rebuilding her life. In 2021, she traveled solo from Shanxi to Suqian, Jiangsu—a 1,000km journey by wheelchair—to join JD.com’s Sunshine Angels as a customer service agent. It was her first job.

Born with congenital spina bifida and abandoned as an infant, Luo was raised by adoptive parents. By 13, she relied entirely on a wheelchair. Years of isolation ended in 2018 at a support group where she shared her story for the first time. “I realized I wasn’t alone,” she said.

At JD.com, Luo thrived, earning accolades like “Efficiency King” and “Customer Service Star.” Her paycheck now covers family expenses, a milestone that “made me feel truly connected to the world.” She pursued hobbies—earning a driver’s license, learning the guzheng, and even completing a marathon. “Running feels like flying,” she said. Next, she dreams of “racing” to Tibet to play the guzheng before the Potala Palace—with her parents in tow.

**The Right to Be Ordinary** Li Jian’s aspirations were simpler: a fair shot at employment. Childhood polio left him with mobility challenges, and rejections stung deeply—once, a factory fired him after one day, citing “image concerns.”

In 2013, JD.com’s Sunshine Angels changed everything. On his interview day, an HR colleague offered to carry him to the office—a gesture that moved him. The workspace, designed with ramps, wide aisles, and accessible facilities, felt like “the ordinary life I’d imagined.”

Now a team leader, Li mentors others, organizes outings, and even formed a band. “I’ve stopped being hypersensitive to stares,” he reflected. Over 12 years, he’s watched the program grow from 12 to hundreds, proving that “equality in pay and promotion is all we ask for.”

**A Collective Effort** JD.com’s initiatives—dedicated workspaces, training programs, and mental health support—have empowered employees like Yi, Luo, and Li. Their stories align with China’s broader push for disability inclusion. The State Council’s 2025–2027 action plan prioritizes vocational training and policy support, contributing to a 4.8% rise in employment rates over three years.

As society learns to value their contributions, people with disabilities are rewriting narratives—one workplace at a time.