International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD)

International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) is a United Nations-sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally on 3 December. IDPWD is just one day on the international calendar, yet it symbolizes the actions we should take every day, in order to create diverse and accepting communities. The intentions of IDPWD are to recognize and value the diversity of our global community; to understand and learn from the experiences of people with living with a disability; to look towards the future and the creation of a world where a person is not characterised by their disabilities, but by their abilities; and take on a commitment to create a world characterised by equal human rights.

“Having an effective disability management program ensures an inclusive work environment so that employees with disabilities can remain at work and contribute in productive way. The CSPDM supports a strengthened, professional work force that promotes strong disability management practices.  On International Day of People With Disabilities, we recognize and appreciate the contributions that our members make each and every day to minimize the socioeconomic impact of disabling injuries and illnesses on employees and employers” –  John Mutch, CSPDM Chair

According to the WHO World Report on Disability, 15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability. Of this number, it’s estimated 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition—and two-thirds of these people will not seek professional medical help, largely due to stigma, discrimination and neglect. The 2020 IDPWD theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, disconnect, disrupted routines and diminished services have greatly impacted the lives and mental well-being of people with disabilities right around the world. Spreading awareness of invisible disabilities, as well as these potentially detrimental—and not always immediately apparent—impacts to mental health, is crucial as the world continues to fight against the virus.

In 2020, employers are focused on adjusting their work practices to comply with COVID-19 public health orders, and an unseen impact of the pandemic has been a decline in willingness to accommodate the return of an ill or injured worker. This further illustrates that people with disabilities are not offered consistent and sustainable support in the workplace. Now more than ever, we need to work together in identifying and addressing the marginalization, inaccessibility, exclusion and discrimination that many people living with disabilities face.

Source: https://idpwd.org/

Introducing New Coordinator of Membership Services

Fall 2020 has brought change to the CSPDM offices. Sheena Cook, who has been the Coordinator of Membership Services for the past nine years decided to retire in early October. Many of you had the opportunity to meet Sheena through attendance at the IFDM 2018 in Vancouver or the CSPDM Conference in Toronto in October 2019. We very much thank Sheena for her years of service. We now have Jennie Ridler joining us in the role of Coordinator of Membership Services. We asked Jennie to spend a few minutes to introduce herself to the members, and her introduction is included in this newsletter.

CSPDM Connections Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 4 October 2020 New Membership Coordinator at CSPDM

 

New Special Online Course – Looking Forward: Moving Change and Innovation in Workplace Health Systems – July 2020

Events arise—often unexpectedly. Organizations may need to react quickly to unexpected situations or conditions.

PCU-WHS is offering the following Special Online Course taking place over two weeks, July 13 – 26 to assist organizations, and those individuals at the workplace who are responsible for identifying and responding to disruptive events or changing conditions. Course description and contact information is provided below.

DMCS 805 Looking Forward: Moving Change and Innovation in Workplace Health Systems

Change, both welcome and unwelcome, is inevitable, ongoing and multi-faceted. More than ever, people within organizations need strategies for reacting quickly to problems and opportunities—both external and internal to their workplaces. This course is designed to provide those who are involved with workplace health systems—disability management, wellness, and health and safety programs—with tools and techniques to identify and respond to disruptive events, new situations and changing conditions in the most positive way possible by:
• Recognizing unanticipated or needed changes;
• Generating ideas, innovations and solutions;
• Using change management processes.

The online course includes print materials and video, a workbook for trying out tools and techniques, discussion forums and a short assignment. Course activities will span 2 weeks, requires an estimated 22 hours of study activity, and has been endorsed for 22 continuing education credit hours for the designations of Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC).

Course runs: July 13 – July 26, 2020

For further details, please contact:
Jennifer Murray
Student Services
PCU-WHS
Tel: 778-421-0821, ext. 209
Email: education@pcu-whs.ca
Web: www.pcu-whs.ca

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

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

Remembering a Global Leader in Workplace Health and Safety

With the recent sudden and untimely passing of Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC not only lost an extremely knowledgeable and committed Chair of its Board of Directors, but many lost a personal friend, and our country and the world has lost a foremost leader who made improving workplace health and safety a life-long priority, all the while leading his professional efforts through a very collaborative and personal engagement style which led to many lasting friendships.

In addition to all his tangible and lasting OS&H achievements, Ralph also thoroughly understood the value and importance of effective Return to Work and Disability Management programs, the positive impact that effective policies, programs and practices in these areas could have on the economic, social and psychological well-being of injured and disabled workers while at the same time reducing costs to employers and society at large. Ralph’s larger than life impact can perhaps be best explained through comments from a small cross section of the many individuals who made their voices heard.

To view the full Communiqué, please click on the following link:
More Information

Graduation CDMP and CRTWC Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

A graduation event was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in early March at which 80 participants were honoured who achieved the Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and the Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) professional designations for this year, and including 38 who were re-certified. SOCSO, the social security organization of Malaysia, now has 143 CDMP and CRTWC practitioners.

Additionally, this year three individuals from local hospitals wrote and passed the examinations and four members of Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) Ketenagakerjaan from Indonesia also wrote and passed the examinations.

A launch of the Malay language version of the Book on Disability Management Module also took place at the graduation ceremony. This book, published in collaboration with the Social Wellbeing Research Centre at the Universiti Malaya, will be a source of reference for many, especially employers, hospitals and other public agencies. It is one of SOCSO’s initiatives to spearhead disability management by offering training and examinations to disability management practitioners from the Southeast Asian region in addition to those in Malaysia.

For further details and to view the graduation photos, please click on the following link to view the Communiqué. More Information

Canada Recognizes the International Day of Mourning on April 28

Every year since 1991, on April 28 we recognize workers who died as a result of a workplace injury and illness, through a wide range of events supported through unions, employers and governments.

As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the restriction on public events, we are recognizing and paying tribute to workers who died and/or became disabled through work related injuries/illnesses, virtually through video and online messages.

Beyond the Statistics

The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2018, 1,027 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada, an increase of 76 from the previous year. Among these deaths were 27 young workers aged 15-24.

Add to these fatalities the 264,438 accepted claims (an increase from 251,508 the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 33,058 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the workers compensation boards, there is no doubt that the total number of workers impacted is even greater.

And it’s not just these numbers on which we need to reflect. With each worker tragedy there are loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers who are directly affected, left behind, and deeply impacted – their lives also forever changed. (Source: Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety)

Every day, people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases – more than 2.78 million deaths per year or in excess of 7,600/day. Additionally, there are some 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries each year, resulting in more than 4 days of absences from work. ( Source: ILO )

The latest statistics on workplace fatalities and injuries from the AWCBC paints a very grim picture and should be concerning to all Canadians. In addition to the 1,027 fatalities, there were more than 260,000 injured on the job. Both these numbers are significant increases from the previous year. We also know that these numbers don’t reflect the reality of workplace death as there are many diseases that workers suffer from that are all too often not categorized as occupational in nature though they likely are.

“An often overlooked and tragic fact is that of those thousands of injured workers, about ten percent of them, will suffer a permanent condition of some sort. People with disabilities in Canada face many barriers with regard to employment and this just adds to a physical injury with mental health concerns and often social isolation.

Canadian workers deserve better and the United Steelworkers have made it a priority since our inception to fight for safer and healthier workplaces. We have fought for a place in society for those who have suffered life altering disabilities. On this Day of Mourning we reiterate our commitment to Mourn for the Dead and Fight for the Living.”

Ken Neumann, National Director, United Steelworkers
Labour Co-Chair, PCU-WHS/NIDMAR

For further information please visit:

Occupational Health and Safety News 2020

CCOHS

CDMP and CRTWC Certification Examinations Postponed to September 2, 2020

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, the May 27 date for the administration of the CDMP and CRTWC certification examinations is postponed. The situation is uncertain at this point in time, but in consultation with the test agency, we are postponing the date of the examinations to September 2, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and, as the time approaches, will keep you up to date.

In the meantime, we will accept applications to write the September 2, 2020 certification examinations, with a deadline of June 30 for the submission of application packages.

Details regarding application package submissions can be found at:

CDMP = Application Information

CRTWC = Application Information

If you have any questions with regard to this, please contact us at:
NIDMAR
Tel: 778-421-0821, ext. 210
Email: nidmar@nidmar.ca
Web: www.nidmar.ca

COVID-19 and the CDMP/CRTWC Certification Examinations

With regard to the May 27, 2020 administration of the CDMP and CRTWC Certification Examinations, we are currently monitoring the situation. With the uncertainty around availability of examination centers, closure of institutions, reduction in transportation, etc., the situation at the moment is fluid, and we are reviewing available options. A final decision will be made by April 10 – and will be posted to the website and we will email all those who either requested to be notified or have already applied.

Please continue to monitor the following websites at:
NIDMAR – www.nidmar.ca
CSPDM – www.cspdm.ca

For further details, please contact Sheena Cook at:
Tel: 778-421-0821, ext. 209

Ninety per cent of business leaders say value of professional designations increasing

The following article from the HRReporter indicates that investing in employees’ professional development (PD) can lead to impressive results for employers, according to a recent survey of fourghly 250 Canadian business leaders. And only eight percent of those surveyed spend their entire professional development budget each year.

When asked about the benefits of having a PD strategy, 98 per cent cited attraction and retention of “the best and brightest,” while 92 per cent cited lower employee turnover and 87 per cent cited greater company profits.

For more information, the article can be found here.

May 27, 2020 Date for Certification Examinations

The date has been set for the 2020 CDMP and CRTWC professional certification examinations, which will take place across Canada, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong on May 27, 2020.

The deadline for applications is April 3, 2020.

For further details, please click on the appropriate link below:

CDMP Certification Examination

CRTWC Certification Examination

Or, please contact NIDMAR directly at:

Tel: 778-421-0821, ext. 210
Email: nidmar@nidmar.ca

Belgium Government Demonstrates Disability Management Leadership

Belgium’s Social Security Organization, INAMI/RIZIV, is advancing strategies, programs and practices designed to maintain successful and productive employment for individuals who acquire a mental or physical health impairment and who are at risk of losing their jobs and who often never re-enter the labour market again. The shift has been towards a pro-active job retention strategy versus waiting for re-integration measures attempted once individuals enter the social security system.
In 2014 INAMI/RIZIV signed a 5-year license agreement which provides access to the entire NIDMAR continuing education framework as well as the ability to offer the Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) examinations across Belgium.
Following a formal review of the RTW/DM intervention improvements that individuals trained through the education program and subsequent professional certification were able to achieve in Belgium – the improvements being consistent with the outcomes achieved in other jurisdictions – Belgium has extended the license agreements for education and professional certification license arrangements to 2025.   More Information

Federal Minister and Deputy Minister Veterans Affairs Canada Visit PCU-WHS

The Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) was honoured to welcome to its campus the Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, his Deputy Minister, General Walter Natynczyk, and our Member of Parliament Gord Johns who stopped by the University to learn more about its unique and innovative Return to Work and Disability Management programming and delivery format.

Veterans Affairs Canada is currently supporting 25 Veterans going through the 25-module Disability Management Practitioner continuing education program with a waiting list of 25 individuals to participate.

More Information