Due to the Covid-19 crisis and in order to have a full non-virtual event, the congress is postponed to September 28-30, 2022.

New accessibility legislation will set British Columbia on the path to a more accessible and inclusive province for people with disabilities and their support networks.

If passed, the accessible British Columbia act will allow government to establish accessibility standards aimed at identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and inclusion. Standards will be developed in a range of areas such as employment, the delivery of services and the built environment.

“We’re committed to improving the lives of people living with disabilities, and today’s introduction of the accessible British Columbia act marks an important step in building an accessible province that works for all of us,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “To be a truly inclusive province, we must integrate accessibility into all aspects of our lives. This legislation will support the development of new accessibility standards, which will help ensure all British Columbians can participate more fully in their communities.”

To view the News Release made by the BC Government about the proposed accessible British Columbia act, please click on the following link: More Information

In a separate release, the Province announced that it is providing NIDMAR a $6 million one-time grant to administer a RTW and DM education and program support project over the next four years.

The project includes three strategies to support BC employers to accommodate injured workers to return to work as well as increase the number of people with disabilities in the provincial workforce through:
•    Disabilty management program assessments and improvements
•    Educational development
•    Professionalization

Dan Coulter, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility said, “Every worker has the right to return home safely from work. As someone who has endured a serious workplace injury myself, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to return to the workplace. This funding will help more people successfully transition back into the workforce.”

Wolfgang Zimmermann, Executive Director of NIDMAR said, “We very much appreciate the support of the Province to enable us to provide employers in BC with education, professional certification and implement a Return to Work/Disability Management program so they can assist workers who acquire a mental or physical health impairment to maintain attachment to their workforce. Over 80% of impairments occur during a person’s work life, and spending a year on disability support, less than 1% will work again. Workplace efforts in early intervention and return to work play a key role in successful socio-economic outcomes for the injured/disabled worker.”

Lance Blanco, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Development Hardwoods Distribution Inc. said, “This is a tremendous opportunity. Employers in collaboration with their employees, can effect meaningful change through personal leadership and by introducing organizational policies and practices that focus on retaining valuable workers they might otherwise lose to the onset of a mental or physical health impairment. Everyone benefits when we build a culture of accommodation that recognizes the important contributions we can all make.”

Sussanne Skidmore, Secretary Treasurer, BC Federation of Labour said, “We are encouraged by this practical investment that will help injured workers to return to work. While there is much work to do to improve accessibility and supports for injured workers, employers will now have access to training and skills development to ensure they properly support their workers.”

Attached please find the latest Communique from the International Disability Management Standards Council (IDMSC) with regard to the Scottish Government NIDMAR Program and an interview with Dr. Norma Clark, Project Manager.

Committed to better outcomes for individuals with mental and physical health impairments, the article highlights the leadership of the Scottish Government and Dr. Norma Clark’s personal dedication and vision.

IDMSC Communique Vol 15 No 45 Scottish Government Program Interview with Dr Norma Clark March 2021

Members of the Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management are part of a growing community of dedicated professionals worldwide. CDMPs and CRTWCs work tirelessly to support individuals with mental/physical health challenges in being accommodated in the workplace, allowing them the chance to maintain financial independence, continue to realize their potential, contribute to society, and continue to access the same opportunities as their able bodied peers.

In 2020 our members faced unprecedented challenges when the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses worldwide to adjust to new public health orders and re-imagine their daily operations. Disability Managers and Return to Work Specialists were navigating their own workplace disruptions, with access to their usual systems and supports suddenly impacted with the wholesale shift to working from home. CSPDM professionals have reported their heaviest workload to date with many seeing extraordinary surges in the number of cases they are managing.

Read the latest CSPDM Connections newsletter for a review of CSPDM news and events in 2020.

In response to Canadian WCBs and countries around the world adopting the CDMP and CRTWC professional designations, attached please find a brief synopsis of the history development process of these internationally recognized professional certifications.

The Global Gold Standard in Return to Work and Disability Management Certification

“Having an internationally recognized certification standard is really important. It helps when going to conferences and networking. You know that people are working toward the same goals around the world.”
– Comment from a CSPDM Member