After the 1992 Rehabilitation Act Amendment, efforts surged to bolster cultural competency in rehabilitation services, expand outreach to diverse disability populations, and diversify recruitment in the field. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) mandated a national strategic plan, the Rehabilitation Cultural Diversity Initiative (RCDI), to prioritize cultural diversity training across all Rehabilitation Act-funded programs.

In response to challenges faced by American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects (AIVRS) due to conflicts between state VR services and tribal norms, the Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR) was formed on January 22, 1993.

After its initial five-year term, CANAR shifted its administrative base to the American Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (AIRRTC) at Northern Arizona University. Collaborating with various entities, including state agencies and federal departments, CANAR ensures culturally appropriate services for Native American communities through initiatives like the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC).