MDI & the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Partnering with the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
MDI is proud to be an official partner of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, where we’ll be front and center with tens of thousands of athletes, families, and fans, rallying around inclusion, ability, and pure heart. Together, we’ll proudly celebrate breaking down barriers and advancing workplace inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities!
Igniting a Movement
MDI’s collaboration with Special Olympics unites two organizations with deep-rooted commitments to inclusion, empowerment and innovation in supporting people with intellectual disabilities. MDI’s nonprofit mission has been dedicated to achieving this for more than 60 years. Together, we will create meaningful, tech-powered career readiness pathways for athletes around the world, showcasing the latest innovations from MDI’s Unified Work program.
Amplifying the power of Unified Work
Like Special Olympics, MDI’s Unified Work program is dedicated to removing employment barriers for people with intellectual disabilities and empowering them to succeed. Through immersive tools like VR training, leadership development, and workforce readiness programs, Unified Work is building pathways to meaningful employment.
A pair of innovative Unified Work pilots will debut the USA Games’ Athletes Village: a brand-new learning management system and cutting-edge virtual reality career training. These efforts will help connect Special Olympics athletes and others with disabilities to inclusive employers, expand access to meaningful careers, and accelerate Unified Work’s ambitious goal of creating one million learning experiences by 2030.
Celebrating education and inclusion
Special Olympics USA Games is more than athletic competition — it’s a celebration of ability and inclusion! Throughout the spring and summer, MDI will be reaching communities across Minnesota with engaging and inclusive experiences, including at the Fan Fest on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and at the Mall of America in Bloomington, among others. These activations will showcase the impact of our Unified Work program and celebrate the value and contributions of people with disabilities throughout Minnesota and beyond.
Volunteer at the 2026 USA Games
Be part of the movement and join us as a volunteer at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games!
