This week, the Consulate General of Italy in NYC hosted the Italian Minister of Disability, Alessandra Locatelli, for a discussion on disability rights in Italy, in the presence of activists and supporters of the cause.
The theme of the discussion was “Italy and Inclusion: The Person at the Center.” Speakers emphasized the need for disability policies that center on the individual experiences of disabled people, allowing them to pursue ambitions shared by all citizens. Also present at the event was Dr. Nazaro Pagano, president of the Associazione Nazionale Mutilati e Invalidi Civili (ANMIC) and the Federazione tra le Associazioni nazionali dei disabili (FAND).
Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele hosted the event and delivered warm opening remarks welcoming Minister Locatelli.
“I’m talking about all those people who experience a negative interaction with their environment, whether mild, severe, temporary, or permanent, in Italy. We are talking about at least 13 million people… All of us know someone in need,” Minister Locatelli explained to highlight the scale of the issue.
In 1999, Italy became an early adopter of non-discrimination policies in the workplace protecting those with disabilities. Law No. 68 established the “right to work” for disabled people, introducing specific measures to promote employment, prevent discrimination, and facilitate workplace integration. This law also introduced quotas requiring employers to hire a percentage of workers with disabilities and offered incentives for compliance.
“We cannot leave anyone behind if we want to strengthen our communities,” stated Locatelli, who also highlighted the need to update regulations: “There are challenges to overcome” to “improve the living conditions of people with disabilities and their families.”
Vincenzo Falabella, a member of the National Council for Economics and Labor, is closely tied to the cause he advocates as a wheelchair user: “We listen to our citizens, we listen to those living with disabilities, to understand the problems they face in their daily lives, and then we try to translate them into actionable requests for policymakers,” he explained.
In October 2024, Italy hosted the inaugural G7 Ministerial Meeting on Inclusion and Disability in Assisi and Solfagnano. This historic event concluded with the adoption of the Solfagnano Charter, a joint declaration by G7 ministers reaffirming their commitment to eight priorities for ensuring equality and inclusion for disabled people. The event also featured inclusive performances, such as those by bands composed of musicians with disabilities.
Davide Zubani, director of the musical group “Si Può Fare Band,” led one of these performances:
“Inclusion is a universal value,” said Zubani, who described Italy as “a beacon” for disability rights. “Minister Locatelli’s promotion is bearing fruit.”
In 2025, Zubani’s band will perform at the United Nations in NYC, furthering their mission of inclusion.
