Bridging the Gap Assessing School Counselors’ Readiness for Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Jordan
摘要
The authors explored the readiness of school counselors in Jordan to provide vocational rehabilitation counseling services to persons with disabilities. Given the critical role of vocational rehabilitation in promoting employment and social inclusion for individuals with disabilities, and the shortage of vocational rehabilitation counselors in Jordan, understanding school counselors’ level of knowledge and preparation in this area is essential. Utilizing a cross-sectional, measure-based design, data were collected from 267 school counselors in Amman during the 2023/2024 academic year. The study assessed counselors’ self-reported knowledge, perceived importance, and acquisition of vocational rehabilitation skills across 12 domains. Findings indicate that while school counselors report having a strong foundation in core counseling competencies—such as group and family counseling, counseling theories, and evidence-based practices—notable gaps were identified in specialized areas, including medical and psychological aspects of disabilities, case management, career development, and community resource utilization. Furthermore, analysis revealed that postgraduate counselors exhibited significantly higher perceived knowledge of vocational rehabilitation than their undergraduate counterparts. However, no significant differences were found based on gender, workplace, or years of experience. These results suggest the need for targeted educational enhancements, including curriculum revisions, specialized training programs, and the integration of vocational rehabilitation principles within school counseling education. Strengthening collaboration between school counselors, rehabilitation professionals, and policymakers is recommended to support the development of more structured vocational rehabilitation services in Jordan. Addressing these gaps may enhance the preparedness of school counselors and support the transition of persons with disabilities into the workforce and society.