2023

Theme: Disability Management in our Post Pandemic World

About the Conference:  The goal of the IFDM conference is to build knowledge for the Disability Management professions in the CDMP and CRTWC Global community.

Date:  September 15-17, 2024, Location: Vancouver

Call for Abstracts: We invite researchers, scholars, policy and program practitioners and enthusiasts to submit abstracts for presentation at the IFDM 24 Conference. The conference aims to bring together professionals from diverse fields to share insights, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration.

Submission themes:
The four themes around which workshops and plenary sessions will be developed are:

1. Legislation and Policy
2. Workplace well-being and disability management
3. Evolution of the mental health landscape
4. Innovative and inclusive disability management approaches

Details of the themes can be found here submission themes

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstracts should be submitted by emailing [email protected] with tile “abstract Submission”.
• The abstract should not exceed 300 words.
• Each submission include a title, list of authors, name of presenter(s) and contact information.
• Clearly state the objective, methodology, results, and conclusions of the research.
• Abstracts should not contain references, tables, or figures.
• Abstracts need to be identified if suitable as an oral presentation for a plenary or workshop or for a poster exhibition.

Key Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline:  February 15, 2024
• Notification of Acceptance: March 15, 2024

How to Submit:

• Submit your abstract by emailing [email protected] by the deadline.
• For any inquiries, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Benefits of Participation:

• Opportunity to present your research to a diverse audience.
• Networking with professionals and experts in the field of Disability Management

Registration Information:

Details on conference registration, including fees and payment instructions, will be posted to the Conference Website early in the new year.

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities:

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference? Email [email protected] for details.

Five graduates, who are located in the BC lower mainland area, who were part of the 2023 graduating classes attended in person, while graduates in Ontario and Alberta attended virtually, in the hybrid Convocation Ceremony that took place in Vancouver on November 28, 2023.

The Hon. Wayne G. Wouters, PC, OC, Chancellor of PCU-WHS, addressed the graduates identifying the evolving field of Disability Management and the need and importance of this field of practice. The Keynote speaker for the event was the Hon. Harry Bains, BC’s Minister of Labour, with additional speakers and congratulatory messages from: Josie Osborne, MLA Mid Island-Pacific Rim; Gord Johns, MP, Courtenay-Alberni; Dr. Tyler Amell, Registrar, Dr. Susan Patrick, Senior Academic Lead, and Dr. Kara Arnold, Chief Academic Officer of PCU-WHS; Shanna Ramm, the first graduate of the BDM program in 2020; and the founding co-chairs of NIDMAR, Peter Lawrie and Brian Payne, who identified the goals of return to work in the “early days” and challenged the new graduates to keep moving the field of practice forward. President of PCU-WHS, Wolfgang Zimmermann, was the MC for the event. Sarah Cosco, the Valedictorian, provided an emotional and inspiring perspective to having completed the program and the work they are all now involved in.

To view the recording of the Convocation Ceremony, please click on the following link:
https://youtu.be/zlErW2301MY?si=LgoyT1Ng9uqCFJbk

To view the Valedictorian address, please click on the following link:
Sarah Cosco’s address

As April 28 approaches, workplaces across the nation prepare to observe the National Day of Mourning, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring the memory of workers who have tragically lost their lives, sustained injuries, or fallen ill due to workplace hazards.

Year after year, Canada witnesses far too many workplace accidents, each one a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of our work environments. According to the latest data from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), in 2022 alone, there were 993 reported workplace fatalities, with 33 of those being young workers aged 15-24. Additionally, there were 348,747 accepted claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or diseases. These numbers underscore the urgent need for collective action to prevent further tragedies.

CCOHS urges all workplaces to take this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every worker. By fostering a culture of safety and vigilance, we can strive towards the goal of zero workplace incidents.

More information about the National Day of Mourning including resources to help spread awareness in the workplace is available on the CCOHS website: https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning

The Government of British Columbia has recently enacted amendments to the workers’ compensation legislation aimed at providing greater clarity and reinforcement of the obligations placed upon organizations in facilitating return to work for employees who have sustained mental or physical injuries or illnesses resulting from workplace activities. The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), which was ratified in November 2022, is slated to come into effect on January 1, 2024. This legislation introduces two new obligations for both workers and employers: the duty to collaborate and the duty to sustain the employment of an injured worker.

For further details, please click on the following link to download details regarding the course:DMCS-450-BC-Employer-RTW-Obligations-Under-Bill-41-3-1

Or, please go to the following webpage: DMCS 450

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 on the following link to download the NIDMAR News Release: Optimizing Return to Work through Successful Early Intervention

Completion of education through PCU-WHS is a gateway to becoming eligible to obtain the CDMP professional designation – the internationally accepted Gold Standard for those working in the field of Disability Management and Return to Work. This short 10-minute video offers a snapshot of the value proposition associated with obtaining the coveted CDMP designation. Link to video.

Speaking at the Day of Mourning, a very moving ceremony held in Port Alberni, BC April 28, 2023. Hon. Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island–Pacific Rim and Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Wolfgang Zimmermann, President of PCU-WHS; and Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay–Alberni.

On April 28, known as the Day of Mourning, we honor people who have passed away, been sick or injured at work, or endured a tragedy at work. In Canada, 1,081 workplace fatalities were recorded by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) in 2021. Among these deaths, 18 were young workers aged between 15 to 24. In addition, 277,217 claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or illnesses were accepted by the AWCBC, including 34,548 claims from workers aged 15-24. However, these figures do not account for all cases, and it is expected that the actual number of affected workers is higher.