Executive Director of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) Wolfgang Zimmermann (L) and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson announcing the Reducing Poverty Through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative in Nanaimo on Thursday, July 25. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan R Davidson

work rehabilitation

Pilot program launched in Nanaimo to help injured workers get back on the job

Jul 25, 2024 | 12:54 PM

NANAIMO — A new provincial program to help those with physical or mental health injuries or disabilities get back to work was recently announced in Nanaimo.

Through the Reducing Poverty Through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative (RPI), $4 million will be provided to four B.C. communities to help working-aged injured or disabled adults return to the workforce in a supportive way.

Executive Director of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) Wolfgang Zimmermann said a good attitude and solid support system are also important on a healing journey.

“You want to be able to continue in the workplace because at six months, if you have a physical health impairment, then 75 per cent of individuals will also have a mental health impairment…that’s just the reality of it, and if I hadn’t been able to go back to work right away I wouldn’t be here today.”

Zimmermann broke his back when a tree he was cutting fell on him during his first week of forestry work at a camp outside of Port Alberni nearly 50 years ago.

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Now in a wheelchair following his accident, he credits his company and union for quickly renovating his workspace in order to accommodate his return to work.

“Work was my identity, in terms of being able to earn a living, to be gainfully employed, I could just not see myself at all not working, and I knew that once you’ve been out of the workforce, in this case, the biggest employer in B.C., didn’t have a responsibility for someone who break (their) back on the job, what does that tell you about our society?”

(Back L-R) B.C. nurse Angela Lamoureux, Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog, co-chair of NIDMAR Ken Neumann, MLA Sheila Malcolmson, Chair of Reducing Poverty Initiative Shane Simpson, and executive director of NIDMAR Wolfgang Zimmermann. (front) (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The RPI program is fully funded and on a volunteer basis, and is for those with limited support from other resources who are on leave due to injury or illness.

Employers seeking workplace solutions to better accommodate those with an illness, injury, or disability can also access the program.

The pilot program launched on Thursday, July 25, will run for three years and will assist those living in Nanaimo, Kelowna, Prince George and Vancouver.

The program is spearheaded by NIDMAR, with funding support from the provincial and federal governments.

More information on the RPI program can be found here at reducingpoverty.nidmar.ca, or by calling 778-421-0821 Ext. 214.

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