Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning platform dedicated to closing the disability employment gap, has received a $500,000 grant from the GitLab Foundation. The funding will support the expansion of its Ascend Fellowship and accelerate the development of its responsible AI tools, aimed at improving employment access and long-term economic mobility for Disabled professionals.

The grant will enable a hybrid initiative that combines fellowship programming, systemic change within employers, and national deployment of Making Space’s AI tools. These tools include skill translation, benefits continuity support, and guidance for navigating ABLE accounts.

Disabled individuals continue to face significant disparities, being twice as likely to be unemployed and twice as likely to live in poverty due to systemic obstacles such as inaccessible workplaces, hiring bias, and fear of losing critical benefits like Medicaid or housing support. Making Space addresses these challenges holistically by providing a safe community, accessible learning, benefits navigation, and preparing employers to be more inclusive.

This new funding builds on the success of the Ascend Fellowship in partnership with the GitLab Foundation, which produced measurable economic mobility results for participants. In its first cohort, the program generated $111 million in projected lifetime earnings for 100 participants, achieving a 123:1 ROI and training roughly 5,000 hiring managers within partner companies.

With the grant, Making Space will scale its fellowship and pilot the next generation of AI tools with participants before a broader platform rollout. Once fully deployed, these tools and the accompanying curriculum are expected to benefit Disabled adults nationwide by supporting job placement, wage growth, and pathways to earn safely without risking essential benefits.

“Most platforms focus on placement. Making Space focuses on sustainability, which transforms the experience for Disabled workers navigating a system often designed to hold them back,” said Matt Zieger, Chief Programs and Partnerships Officer at GitLab Foundation. “This initiative builds employer partnerships that open doors—and keep them open.”

Reflecting on the program, Cat Contillo, a Making Space Ascend Fellow, shared, “Ascend taught me that my lived experience as a disabled person is a form of expertise, not a limitation. Over the past year, Making Space connected disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent professionals through webinars, hands-on projects exploring accessible work, and individualized guidance that truly met me where I am. The emphasis on peer connection over hierarchy was invaluable—some of the most meaningful moments came from learning alongside other disabled professionals and creating career paths that fit our lives.”

The project will also expand Making Space’s employer-focused efforts, integrating disability inclusion training into corporate systems, enhancing accessible hiring practices, and ensuring that Disabled professionals are supported to thrive and advance in their careers.

The GitLab Foundation’s mission is to boost lifetime earnings through access to opportunity, prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable economic mobility outcomes.

“Disabled professionals represent an untapped pool of talent—qualified, capable, and ready for the next generation of work. What needs to evolve is the system around them. With the support of the GitLab Foundation, we’re helping employers rethink hiring, dismantle systemic barriers, and create opportunity at scale,” said Keely Cat-Wells, CEO & Founder of Making Space.

Dow has once again been recognized with the Leading Disability Employer Seal by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), marking the eighth consecutive year of this achievement. This distinction highlights the pivotal role played by companies in advancing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It acknowledges organizations that emphasize diversity, equity, and accessibility, serving as role models for others to emulate. 
 
The award is based on the NOD Employment Tracker™, a detailed assessment tool that evaluates critical business practices related to the hiring, retention, and advancement of employees with disabilities. Companies earn points for implementing impactful practices and for the representation of individuals with disabilities in their workforce. Dow received high marks for its comprehensive strategy, practices, and performance in disability employment. 
 
“We are honored to receive this recognition for the eighth year in a row,” said John Sampson, executive sponsor of Dow’s Disability Employee Network and senior vice president of Operations, Manufacturing, and Engineering. “Being named a Leading Disability Employer reflects our dedication to building a workplace that champions inclusion, equitable opportunities, and accessibility.” 
 
Dow’s commitment extends beyond its HR policies and talent acquisition efforts. The Disability Employee Network (DEN), an employee resource group, focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities and raising awareness to foster allyship and understanding. 
 
Beth Sirull, CEO and president of the National Organization on Disability, praised Dow’s efforts: “We deeply appreciate Dow’s unwavering commitment to disability inclusion. Diversity drives innovation and growth, and Dow exemplifies this by creating meaningful career opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”
 
Click here to visit Dow's website for more information on the Company's commitment to inclusion and diversity.