Accounting for disability and work inclusion in tourism

Abstract

This study theoretically and methodologically advances the underexplored literature accounting for the social impact generated by the job inclusion of persons with disabilities within the hospitality sector. A theoretical framework based on Amartya Sen's capability approach and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health informs the participatory process we used to define the most salient inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts in a Social Return On Investment (SROI) analysis applied to the operations of a social enterprise, Albergo Etico. The resulting theoretical discussion and empirical application of the capability approach integrated with SROI analysis enables the operationalization of the capability approach in tourism studies, providing a cohesive understanding of disability and an effective reporting of the impacts of job inclusion.