This literature review discusses the need for rehabilitation organizations to become culturally competent and for rehabilitation research to reach and be utilized by minority populations. Sections address the incidence of disability in minority populations, the socially constructed nature of race, culture, and disability, cultural power and the perpetuation of inequity, cultural and other considerations that can influence effectiveness within the rehabilitation system, and characteristics of effective systems and relationships. Following suggestions for developing culturally competent organizations, recommendations for research are provided and include: (1) grounding decisions about research purposes and hypotheses in a thorough knowledge of potential user audiences; (2) examining assumptions inherent in the goals, hypotheses, and methods of the intended research; (3) exploring a variety of research methodologies; (4) defining all variables fully; (5) using sampling techniques that provide adequate representation among all targeted audiences; (6) structuring data collection activities to ensure an appropriate rate of return for all targeted subpopulations; (7) carefully considering within-group as well as between-group differences; (8) seeking input and feedback from representatives of target audiences in identifying data collection procedures and instruments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions; and (9) using multiple dissemination strategies and media. (Contains approximately 115 references.) (CR)