New Profile Settings to Support Inclusive Volunteering 🤝

At F4S, we know that representation matters—especially when students are exploring their place in the world of work. That’s why we’ve launched new accessibility settings: a new way for users to self-identify with a disability, neurodivergent condition, or long-term health condition so they can be more meaningfully matched with individuals who value lived experience.

What Are The New Accessibility Settings? 💻

These settings are now available in your F4S profile, allowing you to indicate whether you live with a disability or condition, including mental health, chronic illness, neurodivergence, and more. These settings are entirely optional, private by default, and can be updated at any time.

The purpose? To help educators connect with volunteers whose backgrounds reflect their students’ experiences. If a teacher is working with a student who is visually impaired, neurodivergent, or living with a chronic illness, for example, they can now request to hear from someone who truly understands that journey. This can make for a richer, more empowering session—one where students not only learn about careers, but also feel seen.

When setting up or editing your profile, you can now choose from a range of accessibility preferences based on needs related to:

Chronic Illness
Physical Disability/ Mobility Issues
Neurodivergent
Visual Impairment
Deaf/Profoundly Deaf
Hearing Loss
Learning Difficulties
Mental Health
Other

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Adjusting the accessibility settings is:

1️⃣ Voluntary
2️⃣ Customisable at any time
3️⃣ Private by default

And don’t worry—this information stays private by default. You control who sees it. You can update accordingly when it suits you.

Here’s how you can adjust your profile:

Log in to your volunteer account.
Navigate to the profile settings section.
Update the “Profile Settings” by ticking Yes or No in the relevant box.

This new disability feature is entirely optional, but it enables teachers who have students with disabilities in their classrooms to invite role models with similar hidden disabilities to speak to their students so they can appreciate the potential roles they might hold in the future.

Why It Matters 🤔

Too often, students with disabilities or additional needs don’t see themselves represented in career talks or role models. But we know from experience that hearing from someone who’s “been there” can be transformational.

These accessibility settings help bridge that gap, making it easier for schools to find speakers whose lived experiences can resonate deeply. These aren’t just career talks—they’re moments that can reshape ambition, spark confidence, and break down barriers. 🚀

Let’s Build a Platform Where Everyone Belongs 🏡

At F4S, our volunteer community is full of diverse and inspiring people who have a unique perspective on the working world and finding your place as someone with a disability. We want to give you the opportunity to share this with the next generation and break down stereotypes.

Got feedback? Want to help us improve? Email us at contact@founders4schools.org.uk- we’d love to hear from you! 😊

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