Module Benefits

Understanding and appreciating the various myths and misconceptions about disability and work will help the professional to present arguments to various stakeholders as to why people with disabilities should be included in recruitment and retention. The module should also motivate the professional to advocate for workers attempting to enter or to return to work post injury of illness thus ensuring the professional fulfills their responsibility in the field of practice.

Overview

This module focuses on dispelling myths and misconceptions associated with workers with disabilities attempting to enter or stay in work.  We address attitudinal issues first.  We then go on to present arguments based on research and evidence to dispel 30 general myths and 9 more specifically geared at mental ill health.  Examples of the impacts of these myths are spread throughout the module. 

Module Content 

This module covers the following content:

  • Definition of myths and misconceptions
  • The impact of myths / how supervisors and professionals do their job
  • Disability Management and Vocational Rehabilitation as professional examples
  • 30 common myths and misconceptions in the field. 9 additional mental health myths in the video.
  • Arguments for dispelling these myths and misconceptions
  • The danger of not dispelling myths and misconceptions

Module Design 

The module includes the following components:

Product

Size

Allotted Time for Completion

Reading material with endnotes, websites list, and references

70 pages

23,949 words

5 hours

Video presentation 

66 slides 

1.5 hours

Quiz (must achieve 80%)

20 questions 

1 hour

Total 


7.5 hours

About the instructor

Director of Education and Professional Development

Gail Kovacs

Gail has 43+ years of front-line, management, project and curriculum development experience in health care, disability management and vocational rehabilitation in both the public and private sector and in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries.Gail is a Director of KMG Health Partners, an international firm providing Disability Management / Vocational Rehabilitation management, audit and training services. The company leads or participates in projects that assist with the development of the profession and with the evolution of client, customer and provider services. KMG trains Occupational Health and Safety, Human Resources and Line Management within employers. KMG also trains other professionals in the field. Gail has extensive activity in supporting large and small organizations with disability management processes. Gail has developed and delivered curriculum and training modules for Foreign Trained Health Professionals in Ontario to assist moving them from practicing as doctors to practicing as Disability Managers. She has also created the Study Guide, workshop and on-line training for the 8 professional domains of the Canadian Certified Vocational Evaluator (CCVE) exam.Recently she completed the development of training for front line construction supervisors in British Columbia to help them enhance their communications skills during stay in work and recover at work processes. This was in collaboration with WorkSafe B.C.Gail is a Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) and a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP). She is a Past President of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA Canada) and of the Canadian Assessment, Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Society (CAVEWAS). She has also been on the Board of Directors for the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP). She was a Trustee and Vice Chair of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) in the UK and has supported standards development with the VRA, UK Rehab Council and British Standards Institution.Gail has a certificate in Human Resources Development and professionally practices as an Ergonomist. She is also a Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor (CCRC), a Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP), and a Consensus Based Disability Management Auditor (CBDMA). She has been awarded the Fellowship of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada, the Award of Excellence from CAVEWAS, and a lifetime membership with the VRA UK all in recognition of her professional achievements in Vocational Rehabilitation and for her dedication and commitment to professional development and to client and customer services.