Sue Pelbath

Sue Pelbath was appointed Deputy Director of the Specialized Services Division at the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) by Governor Gavin Newsom in June 2022. In this role, Pelbath oversees all of DOR’s employment and independent living services for blind and deaf Californians. Prior to her current appointment, Pelbath held multiple other positions at DOR, including Administrator of DOR’s Orientation Center for the Blind, Manager of the Programs and Services Division, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Qualified Rehabilitation Professional and Service Coordinator. She was a Paraprofessional in Special Education at the Oceanside Unified School District from 1990 to 2004. Pelbath earned a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University. She acquired blindness as an adult and brings valuable lived experience to the work she does.