On October 10, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recognized MNIT for our leadership in employing people with disabilities. At an Employers Hiring People With Disabilities Month event, MNIT received a plaque, along with more than 20 other employers in both the private sector and public sector, and participated in a discussion about creative hiring practices used to attract employees with disabilities.

We were honored and grateful for the recognition and to DEED for creating a space and time to speak about the importance of hiring people with disabilities. As an organization, we strongly believe in recruiting a diverse workforce.

“By removing barriers and opening our candidate pools, we ensure that we are employing the best talent,” said Sarah Herder Lewis, MNIT’s director of Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion. “We are proud of our efforts to recruit and hire a diverse workforce and will continue to improve our hiring process to push for more equitable processes where possible.”

While those attending the event showcased the great progress that Minnesota has made in hiring people with disabilities, there is always a need for broader support and education. MNIT aspires to be a leader in employing individuals with disabilities. We participate in the Connect 700 program, which allows eligible individuals with disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to perform a specific position for up to 700 hours on the job. As a pre-probationary trial work program, it allows for a non-competitive selection process for individuals with certain disabilities seeking employment in classified positions in state government. 

You can find more about the recognition and the event on DEED’s website.