A pilot initiative taking place in British Columbia will be available to any individual or employer seeking return-to-work and accommodation solutions after experiencing mental and physical health impairments.
The Reducing Poverty through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative (RPI) is currently being implemented. The resource is designed with practical policy and program solutions for immediate direct disability case management for individuals, and having potentially longer term structural recommendations for employers.
It is expected that individuals with little or no other short or long-term disability organizational support and no workers compensation or ICBC, will find employment support resources through this new initiative most valuable.
Successful workplace accommodations designed to maintain equitable participation through continued employment are key in successfully addressing the myriad of challenges often associated with long-term unemployment such as financial hardship, poverty, psychological and social distress.
“As someone who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a logging accident during my first week on the job, I was extremely fortunate to have the support of the employer and the union in being able to maintain workplace attachment through subsequent retraining,” said Wolfgang Zimmermann, Executive Director of NIDMAR. “Sadly, I have witnessed too many friends and colleagues who, following a serious health impairment, were not accommodated and, as a consequence, suffered long-term unemployment, poverty, family breakdown, etc. The aim of this Initiative is to support individuals, along with their employers, through the return to work process.”
Individuals and employers supported through this initiative can expect compassionate and professional assistance in identifying concrete options designed to successfully maintain employment for the disabled individual whenever possible. This could include the provision of direct health care support such as occupational therapy or physiotherapy services, or other assistance such as ergonomic interventions, needed to maintain employment.
“We know it’s difficult for people to maintain their jobs after an injury or acquiring a disability,” said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “To support people in Nanaimo, Kelowna, Prince George and Vancouver, we funded a new $4 million program to support the journey back to work after injury or disability.”
