Hu Xianmin, from Zhejiang Province, has lived with a disability in his right leg since childhood due to illness. He is now a master of Chinese woodcarving art. Through his studio, he trains people with disabilities and helps them gain employment. (Photo: VCG)

A piece of embroidery, a woven basket made of bamboo or a paper-cut artwork can be more than a handicraft – it can be a pathway to employment, especially for people with disabilities in China.

Across the country, programs are helping people with disabilities learn traditional crafts and turn their skills into income. From embroidery to paper-cutting, traditional cultural heritage is creating new opportunities.

On May 17, 2025, folk artist Chen Bihai, who has a severe physical disability, and intangible cultural heritage inheritor Zuo Cuiping discussed traditional Tujia brocade weaving techniques at a local weaving workshop in Chongqing. (Photo: VCG)

These projects help preserve centuries-old traditions while opening doors to greater independence and confidence for people with disabilities.

Lei Xia, head of a service center for people with disabilities in Jinta County, Gansu Province, is also a leading local paper-cutting inheritor. She teaches paper-cutting skills to trainees with disabilities. (Photo: VCG)