An aging workforce and rising mental-health claims are fuelling demand for these specialists
Canada faces a strong shortage of disability management workers over the next decade, and York University's School of Continuing Studies is moving to train more of them.
The school has opened registration for a new Certificate in Disability Case Management, with its first cohort set to begin in Winter 2027, according to its announcement.
It points to Government of Canada labour market projections that flag disability management workers as facing a strong national shortage risk from 2024 to 2033.
The part-time program runs three months and comprises three courses delivered through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
The school said it developed the certificate with industry experts and built the curriculum around disability case management, workplace accommodation, return-to-work planning and stakeholder coordination.
The launch speaks to pressures that group benefits and disability professionals will recognize.
Ontario and Canada face "a high demand" for disability management professionals, said W Francis Fung, a member of the program's advisory committee.
An aging workforce and "rising disability claims, particularly related to mental health," are driving that need, he said, as employers work to reduce absences and support safe returns to work.
Fung argued the discipline should reach past minimum obligations.
"Disability management efforts must also go beyond legal compliance and duty to accommodate and consider inclusive workplace practices," he said, adding that the program would prepare learners to treat disability as a form of human diversity and to take a person-centred approach.
Coursework covers functional interviewing, functional job analysis, graduated return-to-work planning, end-to-end case coordination, and documentation and communication, as per the school.
Students practise coordinating with employers, insurers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders as part of the case-management training.
Graduates will be positioned for roles including disability case manager, return-to-work coordinator, accommodation specialist, accessibility advisor and disability management consultant, according to the announcement.
The certificate also feeds a professional credential.
Its coursework exceeds the training-hour requirements for Pathways 3 and 5 of the Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management, positioning eligible graduates to pursue the Certified Return to Work Coordinator designation once they complete the required field experience.
Learners with a bachelor's degree in health on Pathway 3 exceed the 50-hour coursework threshold, which cuts their work-experience requirement to one year; Pathway 5 learners exceed the 100-hour threshold and must complete three years of work experience, the school said.
"Creating learning and working environments where everyone can participate and succeed is a core value of York University School of Continuing Studies and mine," said Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies at York University.
She said the school designed the certificate to give students practical skills to support individuals, navigate accommodation needs and develop return-to-work plans.
The program targets professionals in human resources, healthcare, insurance, rehabilitation, and occupational health and safety, though the school says previous disability management experience is not required and encourages those new to the field to enrol.
