The Associated Blind Foundation (Associated Blind) provides online information and services to residents, students, employees, and the public. This privacy statement provides information required by New York State law about privacy, confidentiality, and related policies for individuals who use our official websites and other electronic services. This statement applies to all information collected by or submitted to Associated Blind. It is not to be construed as a contractual promise.

Associated Blind websites may contain links to external websites and through the existence of these links does not endorse or take any responsibility for their privacy practices or policies.

E-mail and Form Information: Associated Blind does not obtain personal information about you when you visit our websites or other online services unless you provide us that information voluntarily. If an individual sends an e-mail message with a question or comment or fills out a web-based form, and either form or communication contains personally identifying information, that information will be used only to directly respond to the requestor, unless otherwise stated specifically. The request for information may be redirected to another part of the Agency that may be in a better position to respond to the request. Any personal information you provide will not be released to outside parties unless we are legally required to do so in connection with legal proceedings, law enforcement investigations, or state law.

System-Generated Information: In addition to information actively provided by individuals using Associated Blind websites and other online services, Associated Blind may record information such as, but not limited to the following types of information each time these access points are used:
• Internet address of the computer being used
• Webpages requested
• Network software access
• Referring webpage
• Browser used
• Date, time, and duration of activity
• Passwords and accounts accessed
• Volume of data storage and transfers

Associated Blind uses this information to monitor, preserve, and enhance the functioning and integrity of the system. Information is collected for analysis and statistical purposes, and is used to help diagnose problems with the server and to carry out other administrative tasks, such as assessing what information is of most interest, determining technical design specifications and identifying system performance and/or problem areas. This information is not used in any way that would reveal personal information to external constituencies except as described above.

Associated Blind provides online access to information and services for residents, students, employees, and members of the public. If you prefer not to provide any information to the Agency online, you may cancel the transaction and contact the administrative unit responsible for the service to learn about available options for conducting business in person, by mail, or by telephone.

Associated Blind does not sell or distribute confidential information it collects online to individuals or entities it is not affiliated with, except in the very limited circumstances described below. These policies explain what information may be shared with the public or anyone who requests it. They also explain what information is protected as confidential; confidential information will not be disclosed without the consent of the resident, student, employee or members of the public, except under subpoena or court order or in case of an emergency.

Although every effort is made to secure network communications, Associated Blind cannot ensure the privacy of online communications. Individuals using online services should also take steps to protect personal information, such as closing the web browser when finished using the site. Failure to do so may result in personal information being viewed by someone else using the same computer. Associated Blind accepts credit card donations online. Unless otherwise noted on the site, all credit card transactions are encrypted. Information entered to complete a transaction will not be used by Associated Blind for any other purpose unless the purpose is described on the site. Associated Blind owned or controlled computers and equipment are public property and may be examined by authorized individuals to detect improper, illegal, or non-governmental use; to evaluate the security of the network; or for other governmental purposes.

Please be aware that any information, placed or stored in an Associated Blind owned or controlled computer is subject to review by Associated Blind at any time.

Associated Blind does not sell or otherwise make available the names, addresses or phone numbers of our donors to anyone. However, donors of major gifts or grants may be thanked by name in Associated Blind newsletter, in Associated Blind Annual Report, on the Associated Blind website or in other print materials such as brochures, or at appropriate events. If requested, we will refrain from thanking a donor publicly and list the donation as Anonymous.

Associated Blind will honor all requests to be removed from our mailing list or to limit the mailings you receive from us.