The framework of the Consensus Based Disability Management Audit® (CBDMA®) was developed based on a global review of best practices in disability management. The key elements (see tab entitled "Elements") identified as crucial when administering effective disability management programs are embodied in the CBDMA. Through the use of this innovative tool, combined with the services of Certified Return to Work Coordinators and Certified Disability Management Professionals, employers are encouraged and empowered to implement optimum disability management practices at their workplaces.
A distinctive and key aspect of the CBDMA is the consensus-based process and level of collaboration used during its development. With initial funding provided by Labour Canada, a broad and diverse group of government, business and labour organizations contributed to the creation of this tool. The non-partisan, collaborative, consensus-based approach used to construct and refine the CBDMA makes it uniquely suitable and accepted for use by insurance, business, labour and government organizations.
The CBDMA allows employers to measure their disability management program performance, providing them with the information they need to ensure workers with disabilities are reintegrated into the workplace in a manner that provides optimum results for all key stakeholders in the disability management process.
As noted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a multi-country study on job retention and return-to-work strategies for workers with disabilities, interdisciplinary disability management teams, facilitated by qualified disability management professionals and practitioners help promote ideal, integrated disability management systems. The need for external disability management standards was identified as an important next step in the evolution of best practices in disability management.
The CBDMA is comprised of 180 questions grouped into three main categories:
Each question in the audit is uniformly evaluated using a five-level hierarchy. For each question, the definitions are provided to differentiate between the five levels.
The CBDMA audit tool has been developed so that it provides total quality management. It is an objective tool that safeguards against manipulation of the results by any of the involved parties using a combination of
Depending on the size and complexity of the organization undertaking an audit, it can take a Certified Auditor between 3 and 5 days to complete a CBDMA and provide the organization with a detailed report.
Organizations that achieve a performance score at or in excess of 80 percent are recognized through the International Disability Management Standards Council® (IDMSC®) with the designation, "IDMSC Certified".
Consensus Questions
Consensus questions are collaborative and subjective in nature, and are delivered during a meeting of equal numbers of management and worker representatives. The questions are intended to draw out the perceptions of the participants to better understand the views and perspectives at the workplace. Consensus questions are answered as a group. The auditor, acting as facilitator, will convene the managers and workers to discuss their perspectives, and participants are expected to reach some agreement on how to respond to each of the questions.
Evidence Questions
Evidence questions are answered by the Certified Auditors only and provide a more objective approach to the analysis. They are intended to provide verification of the perspectives that good disability management practices and procedures have been implemented at the workplace. Certified Auditors will use the questions to guide their fact-finding objectives. Evidence of good practice will be evaluated from workplace policy and procedures documents, case files, and other pertinent documentation.
Survey/Interview Questions
Certified Auditors will use survey/interview questions to gather data on a sample of workers and managers. They are intended to better understand the percentage of workers and managers that share a particular perception or view.
