Welcome to the Tech Forum community website managed by HLAA. This document outlines the rules for using our site. We want to keep things clear and simple, so we’ve written these terms in plain language. We may update these terms occasionally, so please check back from time to time. Your continued use of the site means you accept the current terms.
- Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. Please take the time to read them carefully. If you don’t agree with any part of these terms, please exit the site immediately and discontinue use of our services.
- Content Submission
When you post content on our site (including text, images, videos, or other materials) and our other related online platforms (including, but not limited to social media, digital communications, etc.):
- You remain the owner of your content, but you grant HLAA permission to use, display, and share it on our platform.
- You are responsible for ensuring your content doesn’t violate any laws or infringe on others rights, including any intellectual property rights.
- You understand that other users may see, interact with, and potentially share your content.
- We cannot guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of what you post.
- We reserve the right to remove content that violates our guidelines or is otherwise incompatible with our mission and website.
- Use and Restrictions
Please use our site as intended. Specifically, you agree not to:
- Attempt to bypass security measures or hack the site.
- Upload malicious software or code.
- Post spam, advertisements, or irrelevant content.
- Share offensive, harmful, or illegal material.
- Harass or disrespect other users.
- Impersonate another person or organization.
- Use the site to collect user information without permission.
- Account Holders
Some site features are available to visitors, while others require registration:- You must provide accurate information when creating an account.
- You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account.
- One person or entity should have only one account.
- HLAA may suspend or terminate accounts that violate our terms.
- User Age Requirements
You must be at least 13 years old to use this site. If you’re under 18, please review these terms with a parent or guardian before using the site. We don’t knowingly collect information from children under 13, in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If we discover we’ve collected information from a child under 13, we’ll promptly delete that information.
User Communications
By creating an account, you agree to receive:
- System notifications about your account
- Service announcements about changes or updates
- Optional communications like newsletters (which you can opt out of)
- Legal notices related to these terms or your use of the site
You can manage your communication preferences in your account settings or by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails.
- Monitoring
While HLAA doesn’t actively monitor all site activity:
- We reserve the right to review and remove any content.
- We may disclose information if required by law.
- We are not responsible for screening all user contributions.
- We encourage users to report inappropriate content or behavior.
- Modifications
We may update these terms at any time for any reason:
- Changes will be effective immediately upon posting.
- We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of significant changes.
- Your continued use of the site after changes indicates acceptance.
- If you disagree with new terms, your only recourse is to stop using the site.
- Confidentiality
You’re responsible for all activity under your account. To protect your account:
- Keep your username and password confidential.
- Don’t share your login credentials with others.
- Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access
- Log out from shared devices when finished
- Links to Third Party Websites
Our site may contain links to external websites:
- These links are provided for convenience only.
- HLAA does not endorse or control these external sites.
- We’re not responsible for their content, practices, or policies.
- Visiting these sites is at your own risk.
- Review the terms and privacy policies of any linked sites.
- Accessibility Statement
HLAA is committed to making our website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We strive to follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. If you encounter accessibility barriers on our site, please contact us at webmaster@hearingloss.org so we can provide the information through alternative means and improve our site for everyone.
- Release
By using our site:
- You release HLAA from responsibility for disputes between users.
- You acknowledge that we don’t mediate user conflicts.
- You agree to handle disagreements with other users directly.
- You understand that we cannot guarantee the behavior of other users.
- Warranties and Disclaimer
Our site is provided “as is” without warranties:
- We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.
- We make no promises about the accuracy of user-generated content.
- Technical issues may occasionally affect site performance.
- We do not warrant that the site meets your specific needs.
- Use of any downloaded material is at your own risk.
- We do not warrant the suitability or reliability of anything we post or host on the website.
- Limitation of Liability
HLAA is not liable for:
- Direct, indirect, or consequential damages from using our site.
- Loss of data, profits, or opportunities related to site use.
- Issues arising from technical problems or service interruptions.
- Actions of other users or third parties.
- Our maximum liability is limited to the amount you paid to use our services (if applicable), and likely, zero.
- Indemnification
If you violate these terms:
- You agree to protect HLAA from any resulting claims.
- You’ll cover our legal fees and costs if we face action because of your behavior.
- This includes violations of others’ rights, laws, or these terms.
Privacy Policy
- We collect information about you when you use our service, including:
- Personal details you provide (name, email, phone number)
- Usage information (how you interact with our service)
- Device information (type of device, browser, operating system)
- Location data (approximate location based on IP address)
- How we use your information:
- To provide and improve our services
- To personalize your experience
- To communicate with you about updates and offers
- To analyze usage patterns and optimize performance
- Information sharing:
- We may share data with trusted service providers who help us operate
- We may disclose information when required by law
- Your choices:
- You can update or delete your account information
- You can opt out of marketing communications
- You can use browser settings to reject cookies
- Security:
- We use reasonable measures to protect your information
- No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure
We may update this policy and will notify you of significant changes
- We collect information about you when you use our service, including:
- Intellectual Property Rights
All content on this website—including logos, designs, text, graphics, images, videos, and software—is the property of HLAA or our content providers and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. We grant you permission to use the site for personal, non-commercial purposes, but you may not:
- Copy, modify, or create derivative works from site content.
- Use our trademarks without written permission.
- Download or copy site content except as explicitly allowed.
- Use site content for commercial purposes without our consent.
- Termination
Either you or HLAA may end this agreement:
- You can terminate by closing your account or stopping use of the site.
- We may terminate or suspend your access if we believe you’ve violated these terms.
- We may also terminate services with reasonable notice for other reasons.
- After termination, relevant parts of these terms still apply.
- You won’t receive refunds for paid services if we terminate for violations.
Force Majeure
HLAA won’t be responsible for delays or failures to perform our obligations due to events beyond our reasonable control, including:
- Natural disasters or extreme weather events.
- Pandemics, epidemics, or public health emergencies.
- Power outages or telecommunications failures.
- Government actions or restrictions.
- Civil unrest, labor disputes, or other major disruptions.
We’ll make reasonable efforts to resume normal operations as soon as possible after such events.
- Severability
If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that part will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its intent. If that’s not possible, the part will be removed, and the rest of the terms will remain in full effect.
- Assignment
You may not transfer your rights or obligations under these terms to anyone else without our prior written consent. HLAA may assign or transfer these terms, in whole or in part, without restriction—for example, during a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
- Feedback
If you provide ideas, suggestions, or feedback about our site or services:
- We can use your feedback without restriction or compensation
- We don’t waive any rights to similar or related ideas developed independently
- You grant us a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable right to use your feedback
- We have no obligation to implement any suggestions you provide
- Dispute Resolution
If disagreements arise:
- We prefer to resolve issues amicably through discussion.
- Formal disputes will be settled through arbitration.
- The arbitration will take place in Washington, D.C.
- Each party will bear their own costs.
- This doesn’t prevent HLAA from seeking injunctive relief in court if necessary.
- Governing Law
These terms are governed by:
- The laws of Washington, D.C..
- Without regard to conflicts of law principles.
- If any provision is found invalid, the remaining terms still apply.
- The English version of these terms is the only controlling version.
- Miscellaneous
Additional important points:
- These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and HLAA
- They supersede any prior agreements about site use
- Our failure to enforce any right doesn’t waive future enforcement
- You may not assign your rights without our consent
- We may provide notices through the website, email, or other reasonable means
Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns about these terms, please contact us:
- Email: webmaster@hearingloss.org
- Phone: +1-(301) 657-2248
- Mail: 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 320, Rockville, MD 20852
- Online form: https://allianceforaccess.org/contact-us
We’ll make reasonable efforts to respond to your inquiries promptly.
