Privacy Policy
The Tourette Association of America, Inc. (“TAA”) cares about your privacy. Our Privacy Policy governs the use of any information collected from donors at tourette.org (the “Website”) or offline while the policy is in place. By using the Website, you are acknowledging and accepting this Privacy Policy. This policy applies to both the online collection of information at the Website and the offline collection of information by TAA. Sites which are linked to or from the Website may have different privacy policies. TAA is not responsible for the privacy policies, or lack thereof, of sites accessed through links from our site. Please review the privacy notices on such sites for details. We reserve the right to change this privacy policy and encourage you to revisit this page. If TAA changes its privacy policy, we will post such changes at this site.
Collection of Information
TAA collects only the information that you choose to input through the Website or provide on a reply card/donation card or survey. This may include personally identifiable information such as your email address, name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number, credit card information or other information to enable you to receive newsletters, enjoy membership benefits, join our organization, request publications, register for an event, or to send us an email query.
Use of Information
TAA may use the information provided by donors to fulfill your requests for membership, donations, newsletters, products, programs, and services, to respond to your inquiries about our offerings, to alert you other products, programs or services that we believe may be of interest to you, and to generally communicate with you about Tourette Syndrome and the TAA. You can opt-out of any or all communications at any time. Please email your request to opt out to info@tourette.org, check off the opt-out button on electronic communications, or call with your request to 888-4TOURET.
Resale or disclosure of information to third parties
TAA will not sell, rent, loan, trade, or lease personal information of donors or others, regardless of how it is submitted (e.g. website, mail in reply card, registration) TAA may share personally and non-personally identifiable information with third parties under limited conditions, namely TAA will disclose personal information (i) as may be permitted or required by law or court order, (ii) as may be necessary to protect the rights or property of TAA, or (ii) to select third party agents with whom TAA has contracted to carry out internal operations of the site or the assist in the activities of TAA.
Browser information collected on our web site
TAA collects the domain names and IP addresses of its visitors, along with usage statistics (e.g., types of web browsers and operating systems used) and browsing history. This data is used to more efficiently operate TAA’s business, promote our services and administer the Website. TAA may combine this information with the personally identifiable and other information it collects.
Security
TAA attempts to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of your personal information. TAA has implemented reasonable administrative, technical and physical measures to protect your personal information.
Contact Us
If you would like to opt-out of receiving further communications from TAA, please send an e-mail to info@tourette.org, or a letter to TAA, 42-40 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361-2820. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the Privacy Policy, please contact us as described in the preceding sentence.
TAA Event Terms and Conditions
If you choose to participate in a TAA Event, you agree to the TAA Event Terms and Conditions found here.
Content Disclaimer
The Tourette Association of America (TAA) website is designed for educational purposes only. All material contained on this site or provided by representatives of the TAA is provided “AS IS” for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as professional medical or mental health advice. You should not use any information provided to diagnose or treat a medical or mental health problem or disorder without consulting personally with a qualified medical or mental health professional.
The opinions and statements made throughout this website do not represent the official opinion of the TAA. The TAA is not responsible for the content of any of the articles or information that appear on this site. It is also not responsible for the content of any websites that are accessible from this site. The TAA does not endorse the content operations, products, or services of such sites and the TAA is not responsible or liable for the content operations, availability, accuracy, quality, advertising, products services, or other materials on or available from such sites. The TAA shall not be responsible or liable directly, or indirectly, for any damages or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use or reliance on any such content products or services available on or through such sites. The TAA is providing this information on this site as a public service only, and no guarantees or warranties are made or implied regarding such information.
The information on this site is intended to help people make better mental health care decisions. By using this site, you expressly acknowledge and agree that the TAA is not responsible for any direct, consequential, or other damages resulting from your decision to use or not use the information available on this site, including, but not limited to, your choosing to seek or not to seek professional medical or mental health care, or from choosing, or not choosing, specific treatment based on the information.
The information about medications and various treatments contained throughout this website is general in nature, and is intended for use as an educational aid only. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of these medicines, nor is the information intended as personal medical or mental health advice for individual problems, or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular drug.
Readers are strongly advised to confirm the information herein with their treatment provider. The content of this website is not intended to be a substitute for personal professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The TAA shall not be responsible or liable directly or indirectly for any damages or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use or reliance on any such content, products, or services available on or through this site.
Community Guidelines
Community guidelines for Tourette Syndrome are designed to create a supportive and understanding environment for individuals living with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and their families. Here are some general guidelines:
- Respect and Empathy:
- Treat everyone with respect and empathy, regardless of their condition.
- Be mindful of the challenges individuals with TS may face and show understanding.
- Educate and Raise Awareness:
- Share accurate information about Tourette syndrome to increase awareness and reduce misconceptions.
- Encourage open discussions and answer questions to foster understanding.
- Avoid Stigmatization:
- Refrain from using derogatory language or making insensitive comments about TS.
- Challenge stereotypes and promote a positive view of individuals with TS.
- Provide a Safe Space:
- Create an environment where individuals with TS feel safe expressing themselves without fear of judgment.
- Address and report any bullying or discrimination promptly.
- Be Inclusive:
- Include individuals with TS in activities and conversations, promoting inclusivity.
- Consider the unique needs and challenges of individuals with TS when planning events.
- Listen and Learn:
- Listen actively to the experiences of individuals with TS and their families.
- Be open to learning from their experiences and adapting your behavior accordingly.
- Be Mindful of Triggers:
- Be aware that certain sounds or movements may trigger tics in individuals with TS.
- Accommodate and show understanding when someone is experiencing tics.
- Advocate for Accessibility:
- Support accessibility measures that may benefit individuals with TS, such as flexible schedules or quiet spaces when needed.
- Encourage workplaces, schools, and public spaces to be inclusive and accommodating.
- Promote Positive Language:
- Use person-first language, emphasizing the person rather than the condition.
- Avoid defining individuals solely by their TS and focus on their abilities and strengths.
- Share Resources:
- Share relevant resources, support groups, and information that can help individuals with TS and their families.
- Foster a sense of community by connecting people with similar experiences.
These guidelines aim to create an atmosphere of understanding, support, and inclusion for individuals with Tourette syndrome, helping to break down barriers and reduce the stigma associated with the condition.
The Tourette Association of America is committed to ensuring our physical and digital events and platforms remain safe and positive environments for all. To that end, any hate speech, harassment, or comments that the TAA deems discriminatory, hostile, inappropriate, ‘trolling,’ misleading, inaccurate, or otherwise harmful will be removed. Individuals who share these comments may be removed from events or banned from engaging in the TAA’s events and/or digital platforms entirely, including but not limited to: TAA virtual events, social media accounts, or websites. These decisions are solely the discretion of TAA staff.
Social Media Moderation Guidelines
The Tourette Association of America (“TAA”) is committed to maintaining a clear and safe pipeline for families to access our support and resources. Our social media platforms and content are part of that pipeline, and we will enforce our Community Guidelines to ensure those channels remain clear of misleading or false information about TS, Tic Disorders, the TAA and its staff, and the programs we provide. The following guidelines seek to explain the courses of action the TAA may take when addressing comments, content, or behaviors shared on or in relation to our social media accounts. We recognize that each situation and context is unique, and all decisions made are the sole discretion of TAA staff.
The TAA also understands that individuals living with Tourette Syndrome, other Tic Disorders, and associated conditions may need additional support when navigating digital and physical spaces, and we are here to help where possible. Please contact support@tourette.org with any questions or concerns.
Moderating Discussions
While the TAA is committed to fostering open and honest dialogue, we also expect interactions with our content and other community members to be conducted respectfully. It is important that discussions focus primarily on Tourette Syndrome, other Tic Disorders, and supporting the individuals that live with these conditions. TAA staff may use each platform’s settings to prevent, hide, or remove comments on a post or otherwise limit discussions which involve violation(s) of our Community Guidelines, distract, or detract from the helpful environment we seek to maintain.
Spam
If an account posts spam on TAA platforms, the comments may be deleted, and the account may be blocked. Social media spam may be classified as inappropriate and/or unrelated messages, repetitive and/or promotional content, the use of fake accounts, etc. We recognize that compromised accounts may be used to post spam. If your account was blocked because of such an instance, please contact the TAA by emailing marketing@tourette.org to request the block be removed.
Moderating Comments
- If a comment consists of a question or request; is made in good faith; and is not in violation of TAA Community Guidelines; then – if possible – TAA staff will reply to the comment in approximately one business day. To protect the privacy of the commenter and to keep our comment sections helpful, the TAA may request the discussion be continued separately via direct message or email.
- If a comment is determined to be made in bad faith, but is not in violation of TAA Community Guidelines, then the comment may be hidden. If the platform does not provide the option to hide the comment, it may be deleted.
- If a comment is in violation of TAA Community Guidelines, then it may be deleted. Depending on severity, number of comments, and context, the account that posted the comment may be blocked, and the associated individual(s) may be restricted from participating in our programming.
Repeated Comments
Repeated comments on the same posts, regardless of whether they are determined to be made in good faith, may be considered harassment and a violation of TAA’s Community Guidelines. If an individual is in communication with TAA about a matter or the matter has been addressed, continual comments about the matter may be considered harassment and a violation of the TAA’s Community Guidelines.
Use of Social Media by Minors
As an organization dedicated to serving individuals living with conditions that primarily onset during childhood, we take the mental wellness and digital safety of children seriously. The TAA 2022 Impact Survey results underscore the powerful effect of Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders on the mental health of children. Recent research indicates that exposure to social media may pose significant mental health concerns for children, and social media companies have updated their Terms of Use to age-restrict the use of their platforms. To advance positive mental health outcomes for children in our community, the TAA commits to the following:
- The TAA will limit our engagement with accounts of children that are or are suspected to be under the age of 13 on Instagram or Facebook or under the age of 16 on LinkedIn, regardless of whether the account reports to be parent managed or monitored.
- If the TAA becomes aware of an account in violation of a social media platforms’ age restriction policies, the TAA will report the account to the platform.
The TAA’s programs and services remain available to children. Please contact support@tourette.org to access resources and support.
Whistleblower Protection Policy
Learn about our Whistleblower Protection Policy and make a report.
