In 1998 and 1999, the Arkansas State Department of Education annual state census of deaf-blind children found none in a seven-county section of southeast Arkansas--a rural area that includes the Mississippi River delta region. A project investigated the idea that unique cultural characteristics of the region might prevent parents from identifying and receiving services for their children. Three focus group sessions were organized in Drew County, the central county of the region. Participants in two groups were African-American and Caucasian professional women and mothers who were long-term county residents, had professional and personal involvement with families, and were interested in a culturally sensitive approach to serving families. The third group consisted of residents of a low-income neighborhood. Focus group questions explored the various cultures in the county and their characteristics, culture-related attitudes about children with disabilities, cultural factors that might interfere with parents seeking services, cultural child-rearing practices, role of the extended family, and cross-cultural barriers to service provision and how they might be overcome. Short-term project outcomes include development of informational materials that reflect the region's basic cultural values and ethnic diversity and promotion of interagency networks and collaboration. Recommendations address the use of cultural information to facilitate communication and relationships with families. (Contains 13 references.) (SV)