Keely Cat-Wells Empowers Disabled Workers with 'Making Space' Platform

The Challenge of Employment for Disabled Individuals

• 📌 Finding employment is difficult, and even more so for individuals with disabilities, despite anti-discrimination laws.
• ⚠️ Disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed and live in poverty compared to non-disabled individuals.
• 🎯 Disabled individuals represent a significant portion of the population (one in four, and potentially more) who are not accessing opportunities to thrive.

Keely Cat-Wells' Personal Journey

• ✨ Keely Cat-Wells, who dreamed of being a dancer, faced a life-altering experience at 17 due to debilitating pain, leading to hospitalization, misdiagnoses, and surgeries.
• 💡 A "light bulb moment" occurred when, after disclosing her disability and requesting reasonable accommodations for a job she obtained, the opportunity was rescinded.
• 💬 This experience revealed a widespread issue of employment discrimination against disabled people.

The 'Making Space' Solution

• 🚀 Keely founded Making Space, a platform designed to connect disabled professionals with employment and education opportunities.
• 🤝 The platform also assists companies in hiring, supporting, retaining disabled employees, and creating more accessible workspaces.
• ✅ In just two years, Making Space has aided over 10,000 disabled professionals, increasing their annual incomes by more than $40,000.
• 🌟 The platform is free for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to envision bigger futures and expand their horizons.

Impact and Win-Win Scenario

• 📈 Making Space is described as an incredible success, with a positive response from users and employers.
• 🤝 The initiative is highlighted as a win-win for both employers and employees, making a significant difference in the workforce.