Unprepared and Overlooked: Strengthening Disaster Readiness in Vocational Rehabilitation

As the frequency and complexity of disasters increase, vocational rehabilitation (VR) systems face growing challenges in maintaining service continuity for individuals with disabilities. Disasters can disrupt access to employment supports, assistive technology, counseling relationships, and vocational planning placing both clients and professionals at heightened risk. This article presents findings from an informal, practice-focused poll of 150 VR counselors working in public and private settings. The results reveal critical gaps in disaster preparedness, including limited formal training, uncertainty about agency-level planning, and low confidence in crisis response. Drawing on these findings, the article offers actionable, practice-based recommendations to strengthen disaster readiness through professional training, organizational planning, client engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Ensuring that VR professionals are equipped to respond to disruption is essential to advancing equity, continuity, and resilience in rehabilitation services.