09/14/2026
Rehabilitation professionals are vital for the training and support for adults with disabilities. This week, we're honoring the various types of rehab professionals that work in our field.
Rehabilitation professionals help people with disabilities regain function, build skills, and live as independently as possible. This work spans several roles and approaches:
Physical and functional rehabilitation
• Physical therapists work on mobility, strength, balance, and pain management — helping someone relearn to walk after a stroke, or recover range of motion after an injury.
• Occupational therapists focus on daily living skills: dressing, cooking, working, or using adaptive tools so a person can function in their home, school, or job.
• Speech-language pathologists address communication and swallowing difficulties, which often follow strokes, brain injuries, or developmental conditions.
Psychological and social support
• Rehabilitation counselors and psychologists help people process the emotional impact of disability, set goals, and navigate identity changes.
• Social workers connect people with financial assistance, housing, support groups, and community resources.
Vocational and educational support
• Vocational rehabilitation counselors help people find or return to work — through job training, workplace accommodations, or career counseling.
• Special educators support learning needs for children with disabilities.
Assistive technology and equipment
• Orthotists and prosthetists design and fit braces, splints, and artificial limbs.
• Assistive technology specialists match people with tools like wheelchairs, communication devices, or adaptive software.
If you're working with a rehab professional, take time this week to thank them for their hard work!