2016

Professional Designations for DM / RTW Expand Throughout Southeast Asia

During the recently concluded IFDM 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, an historic signing took place between the Social Security Organization of Malaysia, SOCSO/PERKESO, and the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) which allows SOCSO, through a formal license agreement, to offer and administer the professional certification examinations for the designations of Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) throughout a range of Southeast Asian nations currently not covered through individual license agreements. With these additional countries, this brings the number of countries now licensed to provide the professional CDMP and CRTWC designations to 26.  Full story

Belgium to host IFDM 2020

The National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) of the Government of Belgium will host IFDM 2020.

With IFDM 2016 having successfully concluded, and IFDM 2018 scheduled for Vancouver, the following IFDM in 2020 will move to Brussels. Mr. Francois Perl, Director General of INAMI-RIZIV, of Brussels, Belgium, was extremely pleased to announce that his organization had been accepted to be the official host for IFDM 2020.

“Maintaining a continued successful employment relationship for individuals who acquire a disabling impairment is absolutely the best outcome for the individual, from every perspective,” said Mr. Perl in making the announcement. Please find further details in the IDMSC Communiqué at the following link:  More information

Conclusion of IFDM 2016 in Kuala Lumpur – Hello Vancouver for IFDM 2018

A bulletin is attached highlighting the successful International Forum on Disability Management, IFDM 2016, that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 22-24, being the first IFDM to be hosted in that global region, and also being the largest IFDM held to date. Full story

An article along with a short video can be found on The Star Online website from Malaysia entitled: “Helping the injured and sick to return to work”
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/11/26/helping-the-injured-and-sick-to-return-to-work-international-forum-offers-sharing-of-info-on-systema/

IFDM 2018 will be held in Vancouver, Canada, hosted by the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS).
Please follow updates for IFDM 2018 at: www.ifdm2018.com

2016 Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture

The 2016 Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), was entitled “A celebration of Wolfgang Zimmermann and the work of NIDMAR.”

The Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture was established by the IWH in 2002 and while this event has in the past been more research focused, this year’s presentations centered on Disability Management and Return to Work, generating significant interest from a broad cross section of stakeholder groups involved in the Workplace Health sphere who attended from across Canada and from Germany.

Speakers at the event included:
– Andrew King, formerly the National Department Leader for Health, Safety and Environment, United Steelworkers of   Canada
– Dr. Joachim Breuer, Director General of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and Vice President of Europe Rehabilitation International
– The Honourable Wayne G. Wouters, PC, former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet of the Government of Canada

We are very pleased to provide the following links to the IWH event proceedings.

IWH News Release – “NIDMAR executive director challenges workplace leaders to address marginalization of people with disabilities”: IWH News Release

IWH At Work Article – “Advocate and pioneer challenges all to erase stigma faced by workers with disabilities”: At Work

IWH website re Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture:
Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture

IWH video of the 2016 speakers on YouTube:
YouTube video

New Cancer and Work Website Launch

On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, a new National Cancer and Work website (https://www.cancerandwork.ca/) will go live. The website will have information for people on the cancer journey, and their healthcare professionals and employers, to help them stay at and return to work. Dr. Christine Maheu will host the Cancer and Work website launch with an open house at the Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University where live demonstrations of the cancer and work tools will be presented. Another open house will follow in Nova Scotia on October 21 at the CLARI facility, Saint Mary’s University.  For more information please see the flyer, press release and fact sheet below:

Cancer and Work Flyer

Cancer and Work Press Release – English

Cancer and Work Press Release – French

Cancer and Work Fact Sheet

USW approves Resolution re RTW Programs

The United Steelworkers (USW), the largest private sector union in North America with more than 225,000 members in Canada and more than 800,000 members continent-wide, endorsed a Resolution at its National Policy Conference on April 7 in Montreal, calling on the union to “recognize and support the value in pursuing meaningful, effective, confidential and joint workplace Return to Work / Disability Prevention Programs,” including full and equal participation by the union, the injured worker and medical caregivers during the return to work process with employers. The media release can be viewed at:
http://www.usw.ca/news/media-centre/releases/2016/return-to-work-programs-a-priority

 

Having Professional Designation Means Never Having to Stay in One Place

The designations of Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) and Certified disability Management Professional (CDMP), administered under the auspices of the International Disability Management Standards Council (IDMSC), are increasingly becoming the accepted professional standard for disability management practice worldwide.

In this Bulletin, three individuals having different backgrounds and from across Canada tell their reasons for pursuing professional certification. More information