Business honored for employment of people with disabilities

His favorite thing is to wash the counters while listening to Johnny Cash.

Donnie Waksdahl works at Superior Nets, which was honored Tuesday for its work to employ people of all abilities. Udac and the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation named Superior Nets an Outstanding Disability Employer.

The awards are given to businesses or people in the community who are committed to expanding work opportunities for people with disabilities. Udac Executive Director Karen Herman says Superior Nets owner Mark Burns has taken on the role of employer, supervisor, team member, and advocate for Waksdahl.

Burns said Udac was a big help when Waksdahl first started about a year and a half ago, providing tools for employers to integrate someone with disabilities into their workforce. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing for Donnie and his team.

"What started as basically a single task, which was winding needles, has now turned into just an absolutely myriad of tasks that Donnie does for us that we’ve found out he’s capable, and willing, and enjoys doing," Burns said.

Udac works to create opportunity and cultivate success for people with a wide range of disabilities through education and training.

Burns said working with Waksdahl has been wonderful and encouraged more businesses to find ways to incorporate people of all abilities into their workplace.