I often get asked for guidance and suggestions related to (1) completing formal education in disability management (DM); and/or (2) pursuing a professional designation in the field. In this post, I will differentiate between a certificate and a certification, and then offer 2 short resource lists — with content presented in no particular order — re: DM certifications and DM certificates in Canada (none of these should necessarily be considered endorsements).
Certificate or Certification?
The following is adapted from Stanford, n.d.:
A certificate signifies that the holder has completed a specific program of study or sequence of courses. It’s a type of credential, usually awarded by an educational institution.
A certification signifies that the holder has been determined to have the required knowledge and skills to perform in a specific work area. It’s usually granted not by an educational institution, but by a regulatory body or professional association. That organization’s certification process involves meeting specific requirements, such as completing a certain type and amount of education or training (such as a certificate; see above), passing an exam, and meeting ongoing continuing education requirements. By completing those requirements, one becomes “certified” in a specific area*. Certifications “may be required to enter or continue to work in a specific position” (Stanford, n.d.).
*“Earning a certificate issued by a higher education institution typically does not mean you are ‘certified’ in the topic or discipline you studied.” – Stanford, n.d.
SOURCE: Stanford University. (n.d.). Certificate vs certification. https://online.stanford.edu/certificate-vs-certification
DM certifications
CRTWC (see https://www.nidmar.ca/certification/crtwc/crtwc_background.asp)
CDMP (see https://www.nidmar.ca/certification/cdmp/cdmp_background.asp)
RTWDM (see https://cvrp.net/our-credentials/rtwdm/)
Questions about DM certifications should be directed to the CVRP and/or NIDMAR.
DM certificates
SFU
Dalhousie
U Guelph
PCU-WHS
Mohawk
UFred
Of course there may be others; these are merely the ones I am aware of.
- Do you hold any certifications in DM?
- Have you completed any formal accreditations related to DM?
- What are your thoughts on DM as a “credentialed” area of practice?
Tara
