Partnership unites two organizations with deep-rooted commitments to inclusion, empowerment and innovation
For more than 60 years, MDI has been a champion for empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities and training, and so it’s only fitting that we are an official sponsor of the
2026 Special Olympics USA Games, an organization with its own storied history of breaking down barriers and championing inclusion.
The 2026 USA Games will emphasize breaking down barriers to employment for people with intellectual disabilities, an idea that has guided our work at MDI since we first opened our doors in 1964. In the six decades since, MDI has provided employment to thousands of Minnesotans with disabilities. Today, more than half of our workforce — 56% of MDI employees — identify as having a disability.
In addition to our own inclusive hiring, MDI launched our Unified Work program in 2017 to support people with intellectual disabilities in developing their leadership, career readiness and soft skills, which are essential to landing meaningful jobs and thriving in professional environments. Today, Unified Work continues to grow, innovating new approaches to empower people to succeed.
President and CEO Eric Black recently shared his excitement about collaborating with the 2026 USA Games. “This partnership goes beyond shared values, it’s a movement,” he said. “Together, we’re harnessing technology to advance career readiness and create real opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through MDI’s Unified Work program and virtual reality training, we’re preparing athletes not just for jobs, but for meaningful careers in Minnesota and across the globe.”
