LOS ANGELES, CA - California is leading the international community in efforts to ensure successful disability management and will host the fifth International Forum on Disability Management (IFDM).   The forum is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on September 20-22, 2010, and will be hosted by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC), in collaboration with the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC).

“Experts from around the globe will come together in Los Angeles to discuss best practices, measure and evaluate outcomes, and promote better public policy toward individuals with disability,” said DIR Director John C. Duncan.  “Our goal is to collaborate with key policy makers from health, safety, and workers’ compensation communities to identify best practices in disability management.”

Key topics for the conference include:

• A Global Perspective on Disability Management;
• The New Paradigm: changing social attitudes toward disability management;
• The Government’s Role in Disability Management: models from around the world;
• Emerging Economies and Disability Management;
• Legal Aspects of Disability Management;
• Research and Metrics to Guide Public Policy Decisions on Disability Management;
• Innovative Programs in Workplace Health & Safety;
• Medical Issues in Disability Management;
• Disability Management for Special Populations - special problems in workforces with large migratory and minority culture segments;
• Success Stories, Case Studies and Solutions for Stakeholders.

“We are very excited about having key stakeholders from around the world share successful outcomes in periods of economic prosperity and economic downturn.  We hope the results will provide for a better understanding and wider acceptance of the importance of disability management”, said Christine Baker, Executive Officer of the Commission on Health and Safety and Chair of the 2010 Forum.

A Call for Papers has been issued for the fifth International Forum on Disability Management (IFDM). This Call for Papers is the first step in bringing together international speakers and participants to discuss disability management and identify policies and practices to decrease occupational injuries.

The proposals for papers must be submitted electronically to Denise Vargas at dvargas@dir.ca.gov no later than Monday, November 30. Accepted proposals will be announced by April 9, 2010, and the deadline for final presentations is July 12, 2010.

For more information about the upcoming conference and the Call for Papers please review details available on the CHSWC website, http://www.dir.ca.gov/chswc/chswc.html on the official conference website at www.ifdm2010.com or call CHSWC at (510) 622-3959.

Source: Calif. Dept. of Industrial Relations