Introduction
Blind Beginnings Society (“Blind Beginnings”) offers children and youth in BC who are blind or partially sighted opportunities to develop skills, confidence and independence.
In discharging its mandate and fulfilling its mission, Blind Beginnings collects, uses and maintains personal information about and belonging to its clients, donors, staff members, volunteers, contractors and members of the Blind Beginnings Society (including members of the Board of Directors).
Blind Beginnings respects the privacy of its stakeholders. It continues to make its best efforts to comply with British Columbia’s Personal Information and Protection Act (PIPA) and other applicable privacy laws. Blind Beginnings will make its best efforts to ensure the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of personal information in its possession.
This Privacy and Protection of Personal Information Policy outlines the policies of Blind Beginnings regarding the collection, use and disclosure of the personal information it collects.
Definition of Personal Information
Personal information is any information about an identifiable individual that can be used to distinguish, identify or contact that individual. Personal information does not include the name, position or title, business telephone number, business address, business email, and business fax number of an individual, nor any publicly available information.
Permitted Purposes for the Collection and Use of Personal Information
Unless the purpose for collecting personal information is obvious and the information is voluntarily provided for such purpose, Blind Beginnings will, before or at the time the personal information is collected, identify the purpose for which the information is collected, and, if applicable, to be disclosed. If the personal information is required for any other purpose, notice will be provided and consent obtained.
The purposes for the collection and use of personal information are limited to that information necessary to achieve the mission of Blind Beginnings as identified by the organization. In general, such purposes include communications with Blind Beginnings stakeholders regarding services, events, programs, activities, fundraising initiatives, and administrative and operational activities.
Consent
For any purpose other than those generally described above, Blind Beginnings will obtain consent to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information unless otherwise exempt or permitted by law. Consent may be express, implied or deemed. Consent is implied where the purpose for collecting, using or disclosing the personal information would be considered obvious and the information is provided voluntarily for that purpose. Consent may also be implied where the owner of the personal information has a reasonable opportunity to opt-out of the use of such personal information for mailings or fundraising purposes and does not do so.
Consent to the use of personal information in certain ways may be withdrawn upon providing 30 days written notice to Blind Beginnings.
The requirement for consent to use personal information varies depending on circumstances such as the purpose for the collection and use and the type of information used. For example, consent is not required where the use or disclosure is required by law, in a life or health threatening emergency, where the information is publicly available, or for the prosecution or protection of legal rights.
Use, Disclosure and Retention
Blind Beginnings will only use or disclose personal information where necessary to fulfill the purposes identified at the time of collection. Without consent, Blind Beginnings will not use or disclose personal information for any other purpose. Personal information will not be sold or shared with other parties.
Blind Beginnings will retain personal information for at least one year after use or for such longer period as may be required by law or for ongoing requirements of the organization consistent with the purposes for which the information was collected.
Accuracy
Blind Beginnings will take appropriate steps to ensure that the personal information collected is accurate and as complete as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, used or disclosed. It is the responsibility of the individual to keep her/his personal information current. An individual may have access to, and correction of, her/his personal information.
Securing Personal Information
Blind Beginnings will protect personal information by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. Safeguards will vary depending on the sensitivity, location and storage of the personal information.
Blind Beginnings Society operates blindbeginnings.ca. It is Blind Beginnings’ policy to respect your privacy regarding any information it may collect while operating this or any other website. For complete information on the use of non personally-identifying information and potentially personally-identifying information collected by Blind Beginnings as a website operator, refer to the website Privacy Policy.
Access to Personal Information
Blind Beginnings is responsible for all personal information under its control. Upon written request, Blind Beginnings will provide the following:
- information concerning the policies and practices that apply to its management of data under this policy;
- information as to the existence, use and disclosure of the applicant’s personal information; and
- access to the applicant’s personal information in its possession in accordance with the law.
Questions and Complaints: The Role of the Privacy Officer
You may direct any questions or enquiries with respect to Blind Beginning’s privacy policies or practices to:
Lia Dicicco
Director of Operations
Blind Beginnings Society
Phone: 604-434-7243
227 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A5