The ‘disability management’: economic considerations on disability as a resource to increase business productivity

This paper wants to answer some of main questions: Does a strict application of economic logic exclude the notion of ‘limited’ resources? Do ‘handicapped’ productive inputs affect efficiency and effectiveness of production processes? It seems at first that a ‘handicapped’ input can only be accepted if the reduced productivity is somehow compensated by economies related to the ‘acquisition’ or the ‘employment’ of the factor itself. Therefore, there could be a bias against disabled people, in terms of their participation in the economic process, due the disability, that could reduce their productivity. Frequently, handicap has no connection with the function that is carried out: investors or financiers with disabilities, for example. Differently, for employees or associate members with disabilities, because they need appropriate structures to cut down barriers to effective participation in the process. So recurrent and therefore more expensive training is needed. However, opportunities are remarkable: the attention paid to disabled creates a creative, motivating and empowering environment, maximizing the overall results. Diversity management that values the unique contribution of each employee to the achievement of business objectives, and its particularity, disability management is a management philosophy which aims at the enhancement of the work environment, increasing overall productivity, thanks to the principles of tolerance and mutual respect. Disability management facilitates the inclusion of people with disabilities in the production system, by considering diversity as an opportunity. Technologies for individuals with disabilities also promote the effort of non-disabled people, preventing obsolescence. Contributions and public grants that compensate companies for charges or lost opportunities are also to be considered. Finally, in many countries the recruitment of people with disabilities is required by law: complying with this requirement is a civil duty and prevents penalties. People with disabilities are a potential market opportunity also for companies that have appropriate disability marketing strategies characterized by specific variables. The products that promote the independence of people with disabilities generating significant added value for many companies are now numerous.