The Making Space Ascend Program For Disabled Professionals

The journey to meaningful employment should be accessible to everyone. Yet, Disabled professionals continue to face systemic barriers in the workforce, from hiring discrimination to inaccessible career development opportunities. At Making Space, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch the Making Space Ascend Program, a 10-month workforce development initiative supported by the GitLab Foundation. This program is designed to connect Disabled professionals with competitive, sustainable employment while helping companies build more inclusive hiring practices.

Starting in April 2025, the Ascend Program will provide 100 Disabled professionals with the skills, training, and connections needed to secure meaningful employment. Through our talent acquisition and learning platform, we’ve joined forces with leading employers such as Microsoft, Salesforce, Walmart, Visa, Shutterstock, and others (with more to be announced) to bridge the gap between Disabled job seekers and companies looking for top-tier talent.

“Disabled professionals face systemic barriers to employment, while industries struggle to fill key roles requiring creativity and leadership,” said Keely Cat-Wells, CEO of Making Space. “The Ascend Program bridges this gap, supporting participants and employers to drive lasting, meaningful change.”

What Makes Ascend Different?

The Making Space Ascend Program is about creating long-term career success through an approach that values the lived experiences of Disabled professionals. Participants will have access to:

• Tailored, Disabled-led educational content: Covering essential topics like navigating benefits systems, advocating for accommodations, and transforming lived experiences into marketable skills.
• Employer training on disability-inclusive hiring: Helping organizations confidently hire, support, and retain Disabled talent.
• Pre-vetted job opportunities: Employers will post and recruit for roles through the Making Space platform.
• Financial stability and career advancement: Providing participants with pathways to independence and long-term success in their chosen fields.

Changing the Landscape of Employment
‍The impact of this program extends far beyond individual placements. By equipping companies with disability-inclusive hiring strategies, we’re creating a sustainable model for employment-focused initiatives globally. Through the Ascend Program, we aim to: Support 100 Disabled professionals in securing sustainable employment. Increase disability inclusion and accessibility within partner organizations. Establish a scalable, global model for workforce development initiatives.

The Making Space Ascend Program is open to Disabled people in the USA looking for work, and would be especially beneficial to those navigating the benefits system. If you or someone you know could benefit from this initiative, applications are now live! To apply or learn more, visit the application link here or contact ascend@making-space.com.

Image description: Making Space logo