The Chongchuan disabled persons' federation launches a renovation project for the disabled in Ningqiang county. [Photo/WeChat account: chongchuanonline]

It's the fourth year since the disabled persons' federation of Chongchuan district – located in Nantong city in East China's Jiangsu province – established pairing relationships with its counterpart federations in Foping, Liuba and Ningqiang counties, administered by Hanzhong city in Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

In order to boost ties between Jiangsu and Shaanxi and inject more momentum into their assistance, representatives from the Chongchuan disabled persons' federation visited the three counties on Oct 18-22 to lend a helping hand.

Back in March, grape seedlings from a plantation especially founded for the disabled in the Chongchuan Economic Development Zone were successfully transplanted to Foping county, contributing to its agricultural development.

"We have been confident about grape planting ever since learning cultivation techniques in Chongchuan," said a representative of the Foping disabled. "It will help more disabled people master a skill and earn them a better income," he added.

The presidents of the disabled persons' federations in Chongchuan and Foping unveiled the nameplate of an agricultural base in Foping county on Oct 18.

A practical skills training course for the disabled in Liuba county's rural areas was opened on Oct 19. The Chongchuan disabled persons' federation allocated 50,000 yuan ($7,816) for training services, to provide guidance for those with disabilities who want to work.

The Chongchuan federation also invested another 50,000 yuan to help 20 local families with members who have severe physical disabilities in Ningqiang county. A villager surnamed Shen – who lives in Guojiashan village in Ningqiang – is one of the 20 severely disabled. The kitchen and washroom at her home will be renovated to make it much more convenient for her to live.