News for Members

IFDM 2024 Conference considered a “great success” by the 320 registered delegates in attendance – September 16 and 17

“Great success” were the words being used by delegates who attended the IFDM 2024 that took place in Vancouver, Canada, September 16 and 17, 2024. With a maximum capacity of 320 delegates from 12 countries around the world, and with over 70 leading edge presentations, delegates were enthusiastic with the topics that were available for them to attend.

IFDM 2024 was opened through an inspiring presentation by Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s first National Accessibility Officer and former long-time BC Cabinet Minister, who was joined on the opening podium by John Mutch, Chair of the Board, Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management (CSPDM), and Co-MCs Sari Sairanen, Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer of UNIFOR and Rod Cook, Vice-President of Workplace Health & Safety Services, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario.

 

The Hon. Harry Bains, BC Minister of Labour, provided the official welcome to British Columbia and also highlighted some of the recent developments in the province designed to improve employment outcomes and accessibility challenges facing persons with disabilities.

We were very pleased that the closing keynote presentation, which chartered future opportunities and challenges in global Disability Management, was delivered by Prof. Dr. Joachim Breuer, former long time CEO of the German Federal Workers Compensation system, the world’s largest, and, between 2016-2022, he was President of the International Social Security Organization in Geneva.

The successful conference ended with the hand-over for IFDM 2026 to take place in Scotland.

International News: UK Ceremony to Award CDMP Certificates

We’re happy to share some positive international news from our colleagues in the UK.

The recent relaxing of COVID restrictions in the UK has allowed for a celebration to recognize those individuals who have passed the NIDMAR professional exams for the Certified Disability Manager Professional (CDMP) designation.  Here are some photos of the ceremony where the certificates were awarded by Graham Halsey, the UK License holder, and Dr. Norma Clark from the Scottish government.

Congratulations to the successful candidates!  We look forward to when we can safely gather again for in-person conferences in Canada, at which time we can recognize and celebrate the 2020/2021 CRTWC and CDMP graduates from our region.

CDMP – The Gold Standard for Disability Management Professionals

Launched in 1998 as a joint development effort with the Occupational Standards Branch at Employment and Social Development Canada, this $2 million initiative, designed to codify key competency knowledge domain areas required to successfully assist individuals who acquire a mental or physical health impairment in maintaining their employment, has reached a major milestone.

Development, testing and validation, in collaboration with employers, unions, workers compensation boards, and other relevant stakeholder groups, as well as incorporating key research findings from a major international ILO study has now led to over 4,000 individuals carrying the CDMP designation in more than 20 countries. This growing global Disability Management Professional community is having a significant impact in reducing the socio-economic cost of mental and physical health impairments on individuals, their families, employers, and society at large.

This short 10-minute video offers a snapshot of the value proposition associated with obtaining this coveted Certified Disability Management Professional designation. Please click on the following link: CDMP – The Gold Standard for Disability Management Professionals

Continuing Professional Development Opportunities at PCU-WHS

PCU-WHS is open to accepting Certified Disability Management Professionals (CDMPs) and Certified Return to Work Coordinators (CRTWCs) who wish to gain Continuing Education Credits in order to maintain professional certification.

Each term of the academic year, the University offers a selection of courses that may be of interest to practising CDMPs and CRTWCs through its online learning platform. These courses are taught by highly qualified and experienced professors using an instructional format that allows flexibility for learners as to when and how they participate. This approach offers a convenient way for career professionals to integrate continuing education into their busy schedules. Currently, applications are open for the following course:

WHDM 404: Economics of Workplace Health Initiatives

The course takes place from September 10 to December 2.

Please click on the link below to view the Learning Objectives for the course and the instructor bio: Continuing Education Opportunity at PCU-WHS Fall 2018

Successful completion of the course provides 40 CEC hours for CDMPs and CRTWCs.

For registration information, please visit the PCU-WHS website at:
https://www.pcu-whs.ca/admissions/admissions-process/

Or contact Jennifer Murray, Student Services & Records Coordinator at: education@pcu-whs.ca or phone: 1-778-421-0821, ext. 209.