News

  You’re invited to MDI’s Ability Bash III, Party with a Purpose! At MDI we focus on abilities and strengths – and it pays off. Help us empower people with disabilities by providing career services: identifying skills and interests, job training, and placement at MDI or in the community. Date: Wednesday, September 19, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. … Read more

  New York Fashion Week has opened its glamorous tent wider to feature models with disabilities wearing adaptive clothing designs by Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Target. Organized by the Runway of Dreams Foundation, the show on Wednesday included a catwalk welcoming to wheelchairs, crutches, walking canes and more. Actor and model RJ Mitte of “Breaking Bad” was host. Mitte said he understood … Read more

  When Glynis Harvey and Mark Cagley opened Hidden ­Manna Cafe four years ago, the couple did not set out to hire people with disabilities. But then a social service agency asked: Might the Matteson restaurant employ a woman with cerebral palsy? How about a man with mild blindness? A customer asked for an application … Read more

  Several local organizations have come together to successfully launch Life Skills Academy, a pilot program for youth ages 18-21 with a documented disability.  The four-week college level residential program at Itasca Community College helped students learn emotional and social development, how to identify and set goals, explore careers, build positive social skills, and learn … Read more

  KARE 11 recently featured MDI regarding a University of St. Thomas study discussing the hiring bias for people with disabilities. View video.    

  A new study released by University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business and local nonprofit manufacturing company MDI confirms what most of us probably suspect: individuals with disabilities face implicit bias when it comes to trying to enter the workforce.     “Companies seem to have a tough time figuring out how to work with … Read more

  WDIO/WIRT-TV Channel 10 Duluth attended MDI’s Open House on July 26, 2018.  The TV station featured MDI for adding manufacturing jobs to the Iron Range in Hibbing, Minnesota. View story here.  

    BY KATIE JOHNSON ON JUL 24 2018 – 2:12PM MDI has begun filling 160 positions across all its locations (Grand Rapids, Cohasset, Hibbing, and Minneapolis) due to a surge in postal service orders coupled with a steady increase in commercial sales. MDI manufactures standard and custom corrugated plastic and provides assembly and environmental services. The … Read more

  Mike Madden is a goal-driven employee and gold-medal athlete. He knows the importance of staying focused. Being productive at work and scoring during Special Olympics competitions give him similar feelings of achievement. “It feels like you pretty much went out and accomplished something,” he said. Jay Hannon is a national medal-winner and representative for Minnesota in … Read more

  Stroke Survivor Finds Purpose, Strength in a Manufacturing Career In March 2009, David Johnson suffered a deep stroke that damaged a large area of the right side of his brain, which affected movement on the left side of his body. After three months of intensive physical therapy, he learned to walk again. It took … Read more