Inclusion of disabled people in the Italian labour market: an efficiency analysis of law 68/1999 at regional level

Law 68 of March 12, 1999, whose aim is the regulation and promotion of the employment of persons with disabilities, delegates to the regions the management of the labour market. Consequently, its successful implementation depends almost exclusively on the regions’ actions and ability to efficiently coordinate the various actors involved in the work integration of disabled people. The main objective of this paper is to verify which Italian regions are ranked among the most efficient ones in the application of this law. To this purpose, the efficiency analysis is carried out by applying the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to Italian regions data for the year 2005. In this context, we implement a “cascade” analysis by introducing both environmental variables and social capital variables in different steps of the analysis. The results show that the sheer presence of potential employers and of employment offices is not enough to make a region able to correctly apply the law 68/1999. Both environmental and socio-welfare factors have to be considered, as they are important in determining the efficiency of each region in providing employment for disabled people. Hence, the present study represents an additional source of useful information to policy makers for future economic policy actions in order to promote the integration of disabled people in the labour market: environmental and social capital variables ought to be included as policy instruments within the context of law 68/1999.     

Addressing the Underemployment of Persons with Disabilities: Recommendations for Expanding Organizational Social Responsibility

The underemployment of persons with disabilities continues to be a societal problem; many persons with disabilities have difficulty securing and maintaining employment. This difficulty contributes to the relatively higher rates of poverty among persons with disabilities as well as their underutilization as productive members of society. This research examines factors that contribute to this underemployment problem. Based on this examination, we develop questions organizations must consider for addressing the problem. These questions are based on creating working relationships for persons with disabilities at an individual level that may be an extension of an organization’s corporate social responsibility program. Individuals with disabilities have a right to obtain and maintain successful employment opportunities; this research outlines the factors at play and provides suggestions for employers to consider in addressing this social problem.     

Employee and management rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): An overview

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) significantly expands the rights of disabled individuals in their access to employment opportunities, services, telecommunications, public accommodations, and transportation. This article provides an overview of the ADA with a particular emphasis on employment issues under Title I of the Act affecting the rights and responsibilities of disabled employees and employers. Permitted and prohibited actions by employers are discussed, as well as factors used to determine the definition and application of key terms under the Act. Some potential impacts of the ADA on the interests of disabled individuals and employers are discussed. Recommendations for effective management policies to comply with the employment provisions of the ADA are also included.     

How Do Social Networks Influence the Employment Prospects of People with Disabilities?

We explore the role of social networks used by people with disabilities for finding employment. In addition, we outline obstacles to network building for those with a disability. We contend that this group is often constrained and they underutilize their networks during job searches. Both factors are likely to result in negative employment outcomes and contribute to the employment gap between those with and without a disability. We outline how key network characteristics such as homophily, tie strength, and centrality influence job search outcomes for those with a disability differently than for those without a disability. Furthermore, we propose that although individuals with disabilities develop and rely upon networks that are comprised of close bonds with similar individuals that are either unemployed or underemployed in lower status positions, optimal networks for employment purposes should consist of diverse acquaintances that occupy central positions and higher status jobs within organizations. Finally, we outline propositions to guide future research on this neglected topic and also suggest practical implications.     

The representation of the people with disabilities in the internet publishing: North Cyprus example

The representation of people with disabilities in the media is an issue that is not much emphasized. This article studies the representation of people with disabilities in the internet publications, especially in Northern Cyprus. This research, tries to emphasize the way media discuss the issue of disabled people alongside to show how disabled people be presented to the public as a meta in the consumption society and to discuss the discrimination against disabled people. The research focuses on the presentation of the disability as unprotected individuals and the work carried out by the society to sympathize with the individual and in particular on the decoding of the child with disabilities while doing these activities. Media organizations have a widespread belief in their news that they are discriminatory in that they impose disabilities as ‘needy’ individuals. This study discusses how and where barriers are the layout win if on the internet.

     

Do institutions affect the matching process of disabled people? The Italian case

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the various Italian regions’ efficiency in providing employment for disabled people under Law 12 March n.68 1999, “Regulation on the right to work of disabled people” (Law 68/99) can be affected by their institutional quality. For this reason, a Stochastic Frontier Approach is used for estimating the regional matching function, where the flow of disabled people who found a job is produced by the combination of unemployment and vacancies. The matching equation is estimated using regional data from ISFOL, from 2006 to 2011. Results show the presence of a territorial dualism with regard to the matching process. The Southern regions of Italy have the lowest efficiency scores due to their lower institutional quality. The empirical analysis confirms that a good institutional quality is able to reduce the inefficiency of the matching process of disabled people. Therefore, it requires the implementation of policies aimed at improving the level of institutions, particularly in Southern Italy, in order to improve the efficiency of Law 68/99.

     

The implementation of equality legislation: the case of disabled graduates and reasonable adjustments

This article explores how reasonable adjustments, part of UK equality legislation, are secured in the workplace, and argues that an implementation gap exists where the impact of the law is weak, despite legal mandates to aid disabled people in employment. The research points to the importance of employers' knowledge of the effects disability as a key determinant of securing workplace adjustments.     

The place attachment experience regarding the disabled people: the typology of coffee shops

This study inquires the possible creation of a sense of a place in coffee houses for the disabled people as public places. The physical characteristics of a space are the main factors allowing all people including the disabled ones as well to perceive that place properly and within the “person, place and interaction process” framework. The place attachment, which can be defined as the main emotional bond between space and the users, is heavily influenced by the individualistic experiences and reactions whether they are ordinary or differently abled. In order to initiate a place attachment, spaces should be designed in a way that they respect the occupant’s perception, feelings, memories, senses and their physical abilities to enable them to develop a sense of belonging and ownership. Therefore, creating designs which foster people’s construction process of sense of a place that comprises the concept of identity and sense of belonging, is among the essential issues for realizing place attachment in architecture and design of public spaces. In our contemporary world, there are settings that possess these qualities; contrariwise there are more architectural and urban spaces which ignore these qualities and their benefits for people, especially for the disabled ones. Relatedly, a building should offer people enough information for perceiving it and with its physical features should also support the experiences that occur in it. There is a strong link between memorable events and the space where those events occur. An environment which provides outstanding and meaningful ambiance by its architectural characteristics can establish a sense of a place. Disabled people often have less opportunities to experience the spaces properly compared to others because their limitations are not taken into consideration when designing the public spaces. Therefore, the design process of public spaces should involve the basic needs of disabled people. In order to propose a typology for traditional coffee houses, this research aims to define and discuss the place attachment experience of disabled people in public spaces. The study begins with an overview of identifying different types of disabilities and special needs, and an introductory discussion of how space attachment can help to meet those needs. Therefore, the physical, social and typological aspects of traditional coffee houses were evaluated in terms of location, space organization and functions by considering the profiles of disabled users. Methodologically, this is a case study, which has a mixed research design including qualitative and quantitative research instruments.     

The risk factors for the mentally disabled in the use of social media

The aim of this study is to make the teacher candidates aware of the risk factors for the mentally disabled in the use of the social media and specify their views about this issue. The raw data gathered from semi-structured interviews were analysed through a “content analysis technique” and interpreted. The findings showed that the majority of the participants (43.3%) stated that the mentally disabled people faced the risk of becoming social media addicts and were likely to have problems (33.3%). Some of the participants (23.3%) stressed the possible risks of harmful contents. The findings of this research indicated that almost all the mentally disabled people needed to use the social media. It was found out that the mentally disabled people experience more problems. A big majority of the participants emphasized the need for a password to limit the harmful contents and access to them.

     

The renewed Lisbon Strategy and social exclusion policy

In the light of its manifest mid‐term failure to make progress towards its key objectives, the EU introduced in 2005 a major ‘relaunch’ of its Lisbon Strategy for economic, employment and social development. The core aspect of this was ‘prioritisation’, involving an increased focus on growth and jobs. This raised the issue of whether the pursuit of greater competitiveness would lead to a downgrading of the importance of the original social objectives of the programme. In its focal concern on the fight against social exclusion, the EU's strategy involved both employment and social objectives. These emphasised in particular the creation not only of more but of ‘better jobs’ and the pursuit of actions to reinforce ‘social inclusion’ and ‘social cohesion’. This article considers whether a significant shift did occur in policy emphasis and the implications of the Lisbon reform for progress in reducing the risks of social exclusion. It reviews first the basic changes in the formulation of the strategy and then examines in turn the effectiveness of its policy initiatives with respect to employment, the quality of work and social inclusion.     

Reflections from Employers on the Disabled Workforce: Focus Groups with Healthcare,Hospitality and Retail Administrators

Historically, employment rates for people with disabilities have been low. Despite legislation that prohibits the discrimination of this group in work settings, employers are reluctant to hire people with disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of employers with workers with disabilities. Three focus groups were conducted with 21 administrators from three business sectors (i.e., healthcare, hospitality, and retail). Content analysis indicated five primary themes: (1) importance of disability employment agencies and disability advocates; (2) persistence of manager bias; (3) lack of promotion opportunities; (4) costs associated with having workers with disabilities; and (5) benefits associated with having workers with disabilities. Implications include the need for intervention studies that address the challenges experienced by individuals with disabilities, particularly during hiring and promoting phases of employment, and educational efforts to inform administrators and managers of the few costs and numerous benefits associated with having workers with disabilities.     

Functioning, Capability and Freedom: A Framework for Understanding Workplace Disabilities

Work-related disability issues have been central in many of the U.S. public policy debates since the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although there is a robust business, legal, and public policy literature dealing with such issues philosophical analyses are not common. Accordingly, the paper examines, from a broadly philosophical perspective, some of the issues associated with restricted workplace employment opportunities due to the presence of one or more real or perceived disabilities. Following a review of the concept of disability, the paper examines disabilities and impairments using the concepts of functionings and capabilities developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. The paper then connects the capabilities approach to disabilities with the concepts of negative and positive freedom developed by Isaiah Berlin. The paper concludes by suggesting how to address employment and workplace discriminations of disabled people.     

Increasing Employment of People with Disabilities: The Role and Views of Disability Training and Placement Agencies

Many people with disabilities continue being unemployed or underemployed. One way to rectify this situation is through leveraging the services of disability training and placement agencies which can appropriately train candidates with a disability and then connect them with potential employers. Unfortunately, employers profess ignorance about the availability of such services, such service agencies, and continue being wary of employing people with disabilities. In the present article, based on interviews with twelve policy makers in five agencies, we examine services offered by such agencies. Results showed that agencies engage in the following four roles when trying to secure employment for candidates with a disability- the Facilitator, the Trainer, the Marketer, and the Partner. Based on present findings, we note a few broad recommendations for employers with regards formulating their disability policies.     

Development of education rights for disabled children in Northern Cyprus and evaluation of grants for their families

This paper focuses on the evaluation of education rights of disabled children and grants for families to foster social integration. In this respect, it is essential to conduct a research to set situation analysis on the social inclusion and development for equal life. Qualitative research nature was conducted in order to understand perceptions and experiences on current situation on rights and possible ideas for further development. In this respect, research study revealed that there is an intensified need to conduct project and studies to enhance rights and education facilities of disabled children and services for their families.

     

Heterogeneous effects of child disability on maternal labor supply: Evidence from the 2000 US Census

Previous research has documented a negative relationship between child disability and maternal labor supply. Because of data limitations, most studies in this literature use broad measures of disability, which may obscure important differences among children with limiting health conditions. This paper presents new evidence on the labor supply of women with disabled children, exploiting disability information provided by 2000 US Census. This large nationally representative sample allows us to test for differences across different types of disabling conditions. We find that accounting for this heterogeneity in conditions is important. Using a broad definition of disability results in small differences between women with and without a disabled child. When we use a more detailed classification, we find larger labor supply reductions for mothers of children with physical disabilities or limitations in their ability to care for themselves. There is less evidence that having a child with either mental or emotional limitations or a sensory impairment is negatively related to employment or weekly hours. We also test for heterogeneous effects related to child age and maternal education. We find no clear pattern with respect to age and some evidence that the relationship between child disability and maternal labor supply is stronger for less educated mothers.     

Gender mainstreaming in the enlarged European Union: recent developments in the European employment strategy and Social Inclusion Process

The European Union (EU) has an explicit commitment to raise the employment rate for women and to advance gender mainstreaming (GM) and gender equality in both employment and social inclusion policies. In this article we assess developments in the latest round of National Action Plans (NAPs), with particular attention to the situations in the 10 new member states. GM continues to be patchy and inadequate, with a similarly narrow focus in both ‘old’ and ‘new’ member states. After enlargement, the greater diversity of national situations in conjunction with ongoing reforms to EU policy frameworks create new challenges for GM.     

Reflections of associations and foundations’ applications in new media to increase the quality in disabled people’s lives

Associations and foundations (that support these associations) play a vital role in increasing the life quality of the society in general, and the disabled people in particular. Civil society organizations which place a significant emphasis on the society’s well-being play an active role both in the promotion of disabled people’s rights and the provision of equal opportunities for their active participation in social life. Disabled people represent a disadvantaged group in the society because they experience disadvantages in economic and social life. This study focuses on new media usage of nonprofit oriented associations that are established to support disabled people in Northern Cyprus as a developing country. The content analysis as a quantitative research methodology is used to analyze the Disabled Associations’ and some foundations’ web sites and their official Facebook pages to interpret their identities, their way of communication and their social responsibility projects for increasing the quality of life of disabled people and raising public awareness on disabled people’s rights.

     

山东省城镇地区就业现状与劳动力供求变动趋势

利用统计年鉴数据和人口普查资料,分析山东城镇地区就业现状,认为城乡就业问题集中在城镇地区,城镇劳动力供给大于需求,城镇经济活动人口的二元化特征显著。利用弹性法和构成法分别预测了2008-2020年城镇劳动力需求和供给变动趋势。结果表明,在十三五中后期山东省劳动力供求矛盾有望缓解。最后提出了解决城镇劳动力供求矛盾的对策建议。     

金融危机下高校大学生就业风险影响因素的灰关联分析

大学生严峻的就业形势已成为人们广泛重视的社会问题。本文重点分析导致大学生就业风险的主要因素,旨在对导致大学生就业风险的原因获得更科学认识,为评估风险及寻求控制风险方法服务。论文首先介绍了目前大学生面临的就业形势及研究导致就业风险因素的意义。通过研究已有文献,分析统计数据,从个人、社会、家庭、学校及用人单位五个方面提出导致风险的因素。通过频数、灰关联等量化方法,分析问卷结果得到对于导致就业风险的主因素。最后对得出的结论提出思考。     

The impact of the European social fund on youth education and employment

The effectiveness of the European Union's Cohesion Policy in reducing regional socio-economic gaps remains an open empirical issue, while evidence as to how the policy is affected by specific territorial factors and which social groups benefit most from it remains sparse. This article seeks to address this gap by disentangling the impact of the European Social Fund (ESF) on youth education and employment prospects. Drawing on macro-level data for the European NUTS-2 regions, we assess the impact that this fund has on different education-specific youth population shares and employment rates. In the case of education, we find that the receipt of funding is associated with a human capital polarization of regional populations. Specifically, we identify a positive impact of the ESF on population shares with lower-secondary and tertiary education, and a simultaneous negative impact on the share of those with upper-secondary education. In the case of employment, we find a positive response for youth of all education levels. A heterogeneity analysis indicates that both the education and employment responses of the youth population to the receipt of the ESF are strongly influenced by local specialization in high-skilled activities.