News & Events

December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. The observance of this day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

 

The theme for 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities is: “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress”

Official launch of the AI–powered CDMP Gold Standard Guide

We’re pleased to announce the global launch of the AI powered CDMP Gold Standard Guide. After successful testing, we’re now opening it up to the global Disability Management community.
This user-friendly online tool helps you navigate the CDMP certification process based on your unique background, saving you time and reducing confusion.

 

While detailed criteria are Canadian specific at this point, it is expected that relevant CDMP information from other jurisdictions will be added in the near future.

✔️ Tailored pathways based on your experience
✔️ Direct links to key resources and requirements
✔️ Immediate answers
✔️ Guidance on when to contact NIDMAR directly

We invite professionals, organizations, and communities around the world to explore the CDMP Gold Standard Guide today.

Access the guide: CDMP Gold Standard Guide

Occupational Health and Disability Management Survey from PSHSA

Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) is seeking input from Occupational Health and Disability Management professionals to better understand how organizations identify modified work opportunities in support of the legal duty to accommodate. Insights from the survey will help inform best practices, improve processes, and support successful stay-at work and return to work outcomes.

 

Although our organization supports Ontario’s Public Services, we would greatly value input from your members both within and outside of Ontario.

 

I am wondering if you would consider sharing the following survey with them. The survey itself will take less than 5 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential.

Survey on Identifying Modified Work: Supporting Accommodation in Ontario’s Public Sector.

 

Thanks in advance for considering this request. Please let me know if you have any questions.

‘Duration is the silent killer’: Report highlights chronic conditions, complex disability claims

‘Employers have to wake up if they want to be a best practice employer,’ says disability expert discussing growing complexity of LTD claims

Chronic health conditions are shaping the modern workplace – and the stakes are growing, according to a new report.

More than half of Canadian workers are experiencing chronic health issues, with musculoskeletal, mental health, and cardiovascular conditions topping the list, accounting for 68 percent of long-term disability (LTD) claims, finds Sun Life

‘Duration is the silent killer’: Report highlights chronic conditions, complex disability claims | Canadian HR Reporter

Update from Belgium

During June, an official presentation took place, presenting individuals with the CRTWC and CDMP Certificates. This is the eighth year that this award ceremony has taken place. Belgium now has 141 individuals with the designations and 747 students have participated in the training program. For further details on the program in Belgium, please see the full Communique by clicking on the link below.

IDMSC Communique Vol 18 No 52 June 2025

NIDMAR Celebrates 30th Anniversary

NIDMAR celebrated its 30th Anniversary on May 23 with a lineup of speakers and a new video highlighting achievements undertaken in the last 30 years.
Speakers included:
•  Dean Winsor, NIDMAR Co-Chair welcomed the invited guests.
•  Jennifer Whiteside, BC Minister of Labour who provided her congratulations by video.
•  Gord Johns, MP Courtenay-Alberni, spoke of his awareness of the plight of people with disabilities and lack of return to work opportunities.
•  Trevor Alexander, President and CEO, Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board, spoke of the role of WCBs in the return to work process.
•  Prof. Dr. Joachim Breuer, fr. President International Social Security Association; fr. President and CEO, Federal German Workers Compensation System, paid tribute to Ken Neumann, Co-Chair of NIDMAR for the past 18 years who is stepping down.
•  Ken Neumann, retiring Board Member, spoke of his years advocating on behalf of injured workers.
•  Sari Sairanon, NIDMAR incoming Co-Chair spoke about moving forward. A new video highlighting NIDMAR’s many achievements over the past 30 years was introduced by Trevor Jansen, Staggering Media and referenced his own personal family experience. Wolfgang Zimmermann, Executive Director of NIDMAR acted as MC for the event.

To view the video provided by BC’s Minister of Labour and the NIDMAR 30th Anniversary video, please click here NIDMAR 30th Anniversary Video

The CDMP Designation Explained

The CDMP Designation, Explained video sets out the leadership, opportunities, and impact that CDMPs can have, with their focus being to maintain employment for individuals living with a mental or physical impairment. They are specialized in effective early intervention, coordinating occupational rehabilitation, and guiding the process of returning an injured or disabled employee back into the workplace. They can be a great resource for HR and social workers as they apply a balanced and fair approach. They work with unions, employers, workers compensation boards, government departments and insurance providers in designing accessibility plans, meeting regulatory requirements, and instituting best practices. This 6-1/2 minute video also identifies some of the many varied career opportunities and financial stability that this profession provides for those having the CDMP designation.

The CSPDM Designation Explained Video

The Workplace Disability Management Assessment

The Workplace Disability Management Assessment: An employer’s guide to reducing costs and retaining valuable workers

This 12-minute video promotes the benefits of undertaking an assessment of a workplace program. And as Bill Dyer, Director of Program Assessments states, “…we are not here to point fingers and tell people that they haven’t been doing their jobs. In fact, the assessment is a supportive and confidential discussion with a consensus-based approach. And the only person who gets the report is the person who requested it.”

Under the current BC and Federal Government initiatives, the cost of a program assessment is covered by the grants, so there is no cost.

For further details and/or to apply, please go to:

Organizations located in British Columbia: https://www.nidmar.ca/news/full_story.asp?fid=284

Organizations located in Canada outside of British Columbia: https://www.nidmar.ca/news/full_story.asp?fid=295

 

Or, please contact NIDMAR at: [email protected]

The Workplace Disability Management Assessment:

The Workplace Disability Management Assessment: An employer’s guide to reducing costs and retaining valuable workers

This 12-minute video promotes the benefits of undertaking an assessment of a workplace program. And as Bill Dyer, Director of Program Assessments states, “…we are not here to point fingers and tell people that they haven’t been doing their jobs. In fact, the assessment is a supportive and confidential discussion with a consensus-based approach. And the only person who gets the report is the person who requested it.”

Under the current BC and Federal Government initiatives, the cost of a program assessment is covered by the grants, so there is no cost.

For further details and/or to apply, please go to:

Organizations located in British Columbia: https://www.nidmar.ca/news/full_story.asp?fid=284

Organizations located in Canada outside of British Columbia: https://www.nidmar.ca/news/full_story.asp?fid=295

 

Or, please contact NIDMAR at: [email protected]

Optimizing Return to Work through Successful Early Intervention

 

Optimizing Return to Work through Successful Early Intervention

 

Following the recent BC Government’s New Release from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction entitled “People with injuries, disabilities supported getting back to work”, NIDMAR has issued a News Release providing additional details with regard to this latest initiative “Reducing Poverty through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative.

Please click the following link to download the NIDMAR News Release:

 

International News: Belgium

Great progress by our Belgian partners since we signed our 1st license agreement with them in 2014 – having introduced Return-to-Work employer obligations across the country in conjunction with making the CDMP certification standard a regulated Health profession and concurrently supporting employer RTW/DM educational opportunities using our continuing education programming (under license) has given them a pretty holistic & successful approach towards an integrated Disability Employment strategy & program.

Under Francois’s leadership, this approach recognizes that an employer’s accommodation of their own employees who have acquired a Health impairment is the initial key step in removing Disability stigma, something still found far and wide.

 

On 12 June, the official presentation of the CRTWC and CDMP certificates took place for the students who participated in the 8th year of the DM programme.

 

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