Disability Stakeholders. Considerations from Italian Context

Ordinary business logic could potentially lead to a bias against disability stakeholders if they are merely perceived as factors affecting productivity. A more balanced assessment should take into account both tangible and intangible effects on the business system in which disabled people may have stakeholder roles. Relations with disabled customers/users or suppliers who require special aids are complex. Disabled employees certainly have a greater impact in terms of structural requirements, training, prevention and healthcare, not to mention the operational discontinuities that any form of disability is likely to cause. Disability, however, could contribute towards the creation of a stimulating, motivating and empowering working environment, this way maximizing the overall result. Diversity management and, above all, disability management increase overall productivity, also because they tend to boost tolerance with positive effects in terms of reputation. Financial benefits deriving from central and local government grants often compensate for the expenses the company may incur. The beneficial impact on the economic system is also often overlooked: otherwise unproductive resources are brought back into use, this way freeing productive energies within families with disabled members. Disabled stakeholders who are customers or users represent a substantial and growing target for companies producing specific goods and services, tailoring their strategies to demand. Disabled people are therefore seen as useful economic players, regardless of any other ethical consideration which, on the basis of the principle of universal destination of resources, could only reaffirm the subordination of the economy to life values, always, anywhere and in any case.