Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2024

At Voices With Disorders, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use our website and services.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• • Contact information (name, email address) when you sign up for newsletters or contact us
• • Story submissions and community posts you choose to share
• • Survey responses and feedback you provide voluntarily
• • Information in forms you complete on our website

Information Collected Automatically

• • Basic website analytics (page views, time spent on site, general location)
• • Device and browser information for website functionality
• • IP addresses for security and fraud prevention

How We Use Your Information

• • To provide and improve our services and website functionality
• • To send you newsletters and updates (only if you've opted in)
• • To respond to your questions and provide customer support
• • To publish community stories (only with your explicit consent and according to your privacy preferences)
• • To conduct research and improve our resources (in aggregated, anonymous form)
• • To ensure website security and prevent fraud

How We Protect Your Information

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• • Secure data transmission using SSL encryption
• • Regular security audits and updates
• • Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
• • Secure data storage with reputable service providers

Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• • With your explicit consent (such as publishing your story according to your preferences)
• • When required by law or to protect our legal rights
• • With trusted service providers who help us operate our website (who are bound by confidentiality agreements)
• • In aggregated, anonymous form for research or statistical purposes

Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal cookies and tracking technologies to improve your experience on our website. This includes:

• • Essential cookies for website functionality
• • Analytics cookies to understand how our website is used (you can opt out)
• • We do not use advertising cookies or cross-site tracking

Your Rights and Choices

• • Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we have about you
• • Correction: You can request that we correct inaccurate information
• • Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information
• • Opt-out: You can unsubscribe from our newsletters at any time
• • Portability: You can request your data in a portable format

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Story submissions may be retained indefinitely as part of our community archive, but can be removed upon request.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

International Users

If you are accessing our website from outside the United States, please note that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on our website and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us: