The following policy discloses the privacy practices for Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador's operation of our web site. However, our site contains links to other sites. Once you link to another site, you are subject to the privacy and security policies of the new site. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of all web sites you visit, especially if you share any personal information.

Our commitment

Our organization is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its donors, volunteers, employees, members, clients and all other stakeholders. We value the trust of those we deal with, and of the public, and recognize that maintaining this trust requires that we be transparent and accountable in how we treat the information that you choose to share with us.

During the course of our various projects and activities, we frequently gather and use personal information. Anyone from whom we collect such information should expect that it will be carefully protected and that any use of or other dealing with this information is subject to consent. Our privacy practices are designed to achieve this.

Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to protecting your privacy. Most importantly,

Your right to confidentiality and privacy will be protected.
Your personal information will not be sold, traded, or rented to others.

We will be pleased to inform you of the existence, any use, and disclosure of personally identifying information, and provide you with access to that personal information, subject to exceptions assigned by law, within 30 (thirty) days of a receipt of a written request directed to:

Privacy Officer
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador
Suite 712, 100 Forest Road
St. John’s, NL A1A 1E5
E-mail: info@easterseals.nf.ca

Defining personal information

Personal information is any information that can be used to distinguish, identify or contact a specific individual. This information can include an individual’s opinions or beliefs, as well as facts about, or related to, the individual. Exceptions: business contact information and certain publicly available information, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers as published in telephone directories, are not considered personal information.

Where an individual uses his or her home contact information as business contact information as well, we consider that the contact information provided is business contact information, and is not therefore subject to protection as personal information.

Privacy practices

Personal information gathered by our organization is kept in confidence. Our personnel are authorized to access personal information based only on their need to deal with the information for the reason(s) for which it was obtained. Safeguards are in place to ensure that the information is not disclosed or shared more widely than is necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was gathered. We also take measures to ensure the integrity of this information is maintained and to prevent its being lost or destroyed.

We collect, use and disclose personal information only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in light of the circumstances. We routinely offer individuals we deal with the opportunity to opt not to have their information shared for purposes beyond those for which it was explicitly collected.

If at any time you would like to have your information updated or be removed from one of our mailing lists, please contact us with your request and we will make the adjustment(s) to your personal information within 30 (thirty) days.

Website and Electronic Commerce

We use password protocols and encryption software to protect personal and other information we receive when a product or service that involves a commercial transaction is requested and/or paid for online. Our software is routinely updated to maximize protection of such information.

Use of Cookies

Cookies are small text files a website can use to recognize repeat users and ease the ongoing access to and use of the website. Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador does not use information transferred through cookies for any promotional or marketing purposes, nor is that information shared with any third parties. Users should be aware that the Society cannot control the use of cookies by advertisers or third parties. If you do not want information collected through the use of cookies, most browsers allow users to deny or accept the cookies. Please note that cookies may be necessary to provide you with certain features available on this site.

Updating of privacy policy

We regularly review our privacy practices for our various activities, and update our policy. Please check this website on a regular basis for information on our most up-to-date practices.

Contact Information

Question, concerns or complaints relating to Easter Seals' privacy policy on the treatment of personal information can be conveyed by phone at (709) 754-1399 or can be e-mailed to info@easterseals.nf.ca Attention: Privacy Officer

Further information on privacy and your rights in regard to your personal information may be found on the website of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.privcom.gc.ca/

Inquiries and requests for access

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, or would like to access your personal information, please contact:

Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador
712 – 100 Forest Road
St. John’s, NL A1A 1E5
Telephone (709) 754-1399
Fax (709) 754-1398
E-mail info@easterseals.nf.ca

If you are not happy with the way Easter Seals has handled your inquiry, or have a concern about our privacy practices that you feel we have not addressed satisfactorily, you can contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at:

112 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H3
Telephone 1-800-282-1376
Fax (613) 947-6850

Information and Update Request Policy

Openness

Individuals can check their information that we have on record to verify, update and correct it, and to have any obsolete information removed.

General donor and client address and contact information can be easily updated by either returning a regular donor card with updated information or by telephoning Easter Seals at (709) 754-1399 and requesting a general change to a donor file.

Specific donor and client information changes including medical referral changes as well as requests for copies of individual personal files are to be made in writing to:

Privacy Officer
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador
Suite 712, 100 Forest Road
St. John’s, NL, A1A 1E5

Please note that when some individual personal files are requested, there may be confidential information relating to other individuals or information confidential to Easter Seals linked in that file. In compliance with the Easter Seals privacy policies, these files can not be copied or released, however any factual information regarding an individual requesting their own file, will be made available.

Under normal circumstances, all requests and updates will be completed within 30 days of receipt of the request.

Concerns and Complaints Policy

Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to treating donors, volunteers, employees, members, clients and all other stakeholders with respect and consideration. Regardless of best efforts, there will be times when errors and misunderstandings can occur. Whatever the circumstances, resolution of the problem to the satisfaction of all parties is the primary concern of Easter Seals.

Easter Seals has a process for dealing with concerns and complaints that we hope is simple and efficient. By following the outlined procedure, issues can be resolved efficiently and quickly.

Primary: Program Manager

In most cases, a concern or complaint can be dealt with simply by discussing it with the Program Manager for the area or program that has produced the concern. If they cannot resolve the problem to your satisfaction then you will be directed to proceed with the following level.

Secondary: Executive Director

If you are uncomfortable discussing the issue with the Program Manager from the area where the concern has arisen, or they have not been able to resolve the problem to your satisfaction, please contact the Executive Director of Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador as follows:

Telephone:       (709) 754-1399
Fax:                 (709) 754-1398
E mail:             drgreene@easterseals.nf.ca
Mail:                Deirdre Greene
                       Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador
                       100 Forest Road, Suite 712
                       St. John’s, NL   A1A 1E5

Please be sure to include the following in your message or letter:

Your name
Your address and telephone number where you prefer to be reached
The nature of your complaint
Details relevant to the matter and with whom you have already discussed the issue

Efforts will be made to respond to most cases of concerns and complaints in a timely manner.