**Making Space: Empowering Disabled Talent in the Workforce**
Founded by disability activist Keely Cat-Wells in 2023, Making Space is a talent acquisition platform that aims to revolutionize the hiring process for disabled individuals. The startup recently closed a $2 million pre-seed round, led by Beta Boom, indicating a growing recognition of the need for inclusivity in the workplace.
Traditional hiring processes often exclude and overlook skilled disabled individuals, leading to a significant talent pool being untapped. Many disabled people fear disclosing their disabilities at work due to the potential for discrimination, which hinders their ability to receive proper accommodation. This exclusionary approach not only limits opportunities for disabled individuals but also has negative implications for businesses.
Research conducted by Accenture and the American Association of People with Disabilities found that companies that hire and support disabled workers have 28% higher revenue and higher profit margins compared to those that do not. Furthermore, increasing the employment rate of disabled individuals could boost the U.S. GDP by at least $25 billion.
Making Space seeks to bridge this gap by providing a platform where prospective employees can search for open jobs, while recruiters gain access to qualified disabled candidates. The startup also offers educational resources to help employers better support and collaborate with disabled workers, ultimately fostering a more inclusive work environment.
Disabled employees tend to have higher retention rates and performance levels compared to their non-disabled counterparts, as highlighted by the Job Accommodation Network. By embracing disability inclusion, businesses can reduce turnover rates and benefit from the unique perspectives and skills that disabled individuals bring to the table.
Despite the potential for success, Cat-Wells faced challenges when seeking investors who believed in her vision. Many investors struggled to see the commercial viability of a disabled-focused company, often viewing disability through a charitable lens. This perspective fails to recognize the economic opportunity presented by the disabled population and the fact that anyone can become disabled at any time.
The biases and systemic barriers within venture capital are further exemplified by a prospective investor’s comment, suggesting that a non-disabled, male co-founder would increase the chances of investment. This encounter only reaffirmed Cat-Wells’ mission to challenge societal limitations and dismantle ableism and gender bias.
Through perseverance, Cat-Wells found a lead investor in Beta Boom, who recognized the unique value proposition of Making Space. The platform addresses both the upskilling needs of disabled workers and the trust hurdles faced by employers, making it a comprehensive solution for disability inclusion in the workforce.
Making Space is not limited to its talent acquisition platform alone. The company has also established a media arm, partnering with industry giants like Netflix and NBCUniversal to enhance employment opportunities for disabled talent in front and behind the camera. By building a pipeline of disabled graphic designers for Netflix and hiring disabled hosts for NBCU’s Paralympics coverage, Making Space is actively reshaping the narrative around disability representation in media.
Looking to the future, Making Space aims to expand its offerings and impact further. The development of Compass, a tool that presents disabilities as valuable skills, demonstrates the company’s commitment to redefining traditional notions of talent and ability. In addition, Making Space plans to collaborate with Fortune 500 companies and extend its work to K-12 schools to foster conversations about disability rights and opportunities.
At just 28 years old, Cat-Wells is already a second-time founder, driven by her personal experiences of discrimination and the desire to effect change. Her advocacy work has gained recognition at The White House, where she has discussed disability rights, and she has participated in discussions alongside influential figures like Kamala Harris and Prince Harry. Making Space is not only a business venture for Cat-Wells but a means to challenge the status quo and create a future where disabled individuals have equal access to employment opportunities.
In conclusion, Making Space is revolutionizing talent acquisition by creating a platform that empowers disabled individuals to find meaningful careers and helps businesses tap into a diverse talent pool. By challenging societal limitations, dismantling biases, and fostering inclusivity, Making Space aims to redefine disability employment statistics and create a more equitable future for disabled workers.