Productive labor under capitalism refers to the production of surplus value near or above the prevailing rate of exploitation (S/V). In effect, the prevailing rate of exploitation (S/V) determines who is "disabled" and who is not.
Discrimination has less to due with prejudicial attitudes then an accountant's calculation of the present cost of production (C+V) versus the potential benefits to the future rate of exploitation (S/V).
The material basis of capitalist accumulation is the mining of surplus labor from the work force of direct producers. If "disabilities" among the direct producers add to the cost of production (C+V) of this mining process, the owners and managers of the mines necessarily have to discriminate against those workers. Expenses to accommodate the "disabled" in the workplace will be resisted as an addition to the fixed capital portion of constant capital (C). Hence, opposition of small and medium businesses, especially the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to the "Americans with Disabilities Act." Managers and owners will only tolerate the use of "disabled" workers when they can save on the variable portion (V) of cost of production, resulting in low wages for workers at Goodwill and other locations, or tax breaks and other subsidies.
Discrimination can be ameliorated but not eliminated by changing "prejudicial attitudes." Only a system of material production that takes into account the human consequences of its development can eliminate discrimination against disabilities. Capitalism never has and never will take the human (or environmental) consequences of its development into consideration because it is not included in its historical role as a transitory form of material production.
RS
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