Lightyear Foundation

Who we are

Who We Are

Lightyear Foundation is a disabled-led UK charity dedicated to creating a more inclusive future through STEM (science, technology, engineerign and maths). We work with deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, their families, educators, employers, and partners across the STEM sector to remove barriers to participation and opportunity. Through inspiring outreach programmes, community building, sector development, and policy influence, we help ensure that disabled and neurodivergent young people can discover, explore, learn, lead, and thrive in STEM and beyond.

Vision

A world where all disabled and neurodivergent people thrive.

Mission

To provide accessible and inclusive STEM opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, empowering them to discover, explore, learn, lead, and benefit from STEM. We celebrate their achievements, foster collaboration, influence the STEM sector, and inform policy.

https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/

Our culture and values

Our six core values guide our work:

• Authenticity: Celebrating diverse communities and perspectives.

• Integrity: Acting ethically, honestly, and transparently.

• Curiosity: Encouraging exploration and innovation.

• Respect: Valuing all individuals and communities.

• Collaboration: Building partnerships for greater impact.

• Empowerment: Enabling individuals to lead with confidence and agency.

Employees are expected to demonstrate these values in their daily work and interactions.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Lightyear Foundation is committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities across our activities. We want to extend the range of skills and experience we bring enabling a greater range of individuals to participate in our activities. Lightyear Foundation has a fundamental belief in ensuring equal opportunities in all areas of its work. This policy applies to all aspects of relationships between Trustees, staff and volunteers. Services will be delivered and individuals treated fairly and not on the basis of:

• Race, nationality or ethnic origin
• Religious beliefs
• Being an asylum seeker or refugee
• Impairment, including physical, sensory or learning disability, mental health and HIV/AIDS
• Health or medical problems
• Sex, gender and gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Responsibility for dependants
• Social or economic disadvantage

This list is only illustrative and not a definitive list of categories.

https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/policies