Finding a job or earning more can mean losing part of one’s support, even when the need for assistance remains exactly the same. This is the contradiction Attiva-Mente is urging San Marino to address, as the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) takes up, in first reading, a proposed law on workplace inclusion for people with disabilities.
The association acknowledges several positive aspects of the proposal, but draws attention to the obstacles that can discourage people from entering the workforce or improving their professional standing. The crux of the issue is the link between individual income and the accompanying allowance (assegno di accompagnamento): according to Attiva-Mente, a salary increase can reduce or even eliminate this benefit, even though the person’s underlying needs have not decreased.
“A salary pays for a job; it doesn’t cover the extra costs of disability.”
Behind any job may lie daily assistance, equipment, adaptations and an entire support structure that makes it possible to get to work and carry out one’s duties. Focusing solely on outcomes, without considering the support that makes them possible, risks penalizing precisely those who achieve greater independence.
“No one should feel forced to give up a job opportunity in order to keep having their needs recognized. The fact that a form of support is working doesn’t mean it has become unnecessary.”
For Attiva-Mente, the issue extends well beyond employment. Based on experiences shared by members and families, activities such as driving, playing sports, living independently, getting married or travelling can also become grounds for questioning whether assistance is still needed. But being able to carry out an activity does not mean being self-sufficient at every hour of the day, just as having a partner does not equate to having continuous care.
“You can drive and still need help getting out of bed. You can play sports and still need assistance at other times of the day.”
The association also draws a comparison with certain categories of pensioners, who, it points out, are allowed from the age of 66 to combine a pension with employment income. While acknowledging that these are different types of benefits, Attiva-Mente calls for consistency in policy: expanding employment opportunities must also include people with disabilities, without leaving the costs of assistance uncovered once a salary comes in.
The association’s request is to keep workforce inclusion and personal support together, assessing actual needs and the costs that persist even while someone is employed. Cutting back on necessary support, Attiva-Mente warns, risks undermining the very access to employment the law aims to promote.
Meanwhile, tomorrow, Friday 23 October, the Inclusion Job Day will take place online in Italy, highlighted by the association as an opportunity for companies and people with disabilities to connect. The initiative allows participants to learn about job opportunities, submit applications and take part in interviews.
