Background
Best practice evidence and research, as well as continued successful implementation of effective RTW / DM programs have demonstrated that when properly developed, implemented and administered, consensus-based RTW / DM programs can effectively reduce the socio-economic cost of disabilities for employers, workers and providers by a substantial margin while at the same time maintaining employability for workers with disabilities.
To ensure that these expectations are completely transferable, consistently achieved within a balanced framework across all operating environments and meet the unique needs of all stakeholders requires that a certain number of universally applicable principal requirements are met. This applies both to the design and implementation of policies and programmes as well as the discreet set of characteristics in experience, skills and competencies reflected by the individuals charged with RTW / DM programme development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation.
In order to address these critical issues and meet the growing demands, the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) in 1997 embarked on a formalised process to articulate the experiences, skills and competencies essential to define a consensus-based, transferable, recognisable and highly professional standard of excellence in RTW and DM practice for employers, workers and providers.