Accessibility Statement

Toronto Black Educators Network (TBEN) is committed to ensuring an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for all members

Toronto Black Educators Network – Legal & Accessibility Hub
Welcome to the Toronto Black Educators Network (TBEN) Legal & Accessibility Hub. Here, you can find our Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Cookie Notice, Accessibility Statement, Refund & Cancellation Policy, Code of Conduct, Data Retention Policy, and Safeguarding Statement.

1️⃣ Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 31 December 2025
TBEN respects your privacy and is committed to protecting personal information in compliance with Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA).

Information We Collect:

Contact info (name, email, phone)
Professional info (role, educator status, organization)
Application & membership info
Payment info via secure third-party processors
Website usage data (IP address, browser type, cookies)

How We Use Your Info:

Communication with members, educators, and parents
Program, workshop, and event management
Website and user experience improvements
Legal and reporting requirements
Newsletters (opt-out anytime)

Data Sharing:
Only with trusted service providers or when legally required
No selling or renting of personal information

Security:
Data hosted on Wix secure servers with encryption and firewalls
Access limited to authorized personnel

Your Rights:
Access, correct, delete, or withdraw consent for personal information

2️⃣ Terms & Conditions

Website use is for educational and community purposes
All content is property of TBEN unless otherwise stated
Programs/events may be modified or canceled as needed
Submissions must be accurate; inappropriate content may be removed
TBEN is not liable for damages from website use or program participation
Links to external websites are not under TBEN control
Governed by laws of Ontario, Canada

3️⃣ Cookie Notice
TBEN uses cookies to improve website functionality, analyze traffic, and maintain security. By using this site, you consent to cookies. Manage or disable cookies through your browser at any time.

4️⃣ Accessibility Statement
Toronto Black Educators Network is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all.
Clear, simple language on all pages
Screen-reader compatible content
Alternative formats for documents, forms, and materials available upon request
Easy-to-navigate website on desktop and mobile

Need assistance? Contact:
Email: Torontoblackeducators@gmail.com Phone: (647)-569-5247

5️⃣ Refund & Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 7 days before an event for a full refund
No refunds for cancellations less than 7 days before the event
TBEN may reschedule/cancel events; full refund or transfer offered

Special circumstances considered on a case-by-case basis

6️⃣ Code of Conduct
All members, volunteers, staff, and board members must:
Treat all participants with respect
Promote inclusivity and safety
Act with integrity and professionalism
Protect confidential information
Avoid discrimination, harassment, and bullying
Disclose conflicts of interest
Violations may result in warnings, suspension, or removal.

7️⃣ Data Retention Policy
Personal info stored only as long as needed or legally required
Financial records retained for minimum 7 years
Website analytics stored temporarily for functionality
Individuals may request deletion of personal info (where legally possible)

8️⃣ Safeguarding & Child Protection
TBEN is committed to the safety of all children and vulnerable individuals.

Staff and volunteers undergo background checks
Leaders trained to recognize and respond to abuse or neglect
Incidents reported immediately to the right authorities.

Programs provide
Toronto Black Educators Network (TBEN) is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment for all individuals. We strive to ensure that our programs, services, and digital spaces are accessible to people with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its associated standards.

Our Commitment
TBEN is dedicated to meeting the accessibility needs of members, educators, parents, students, volunteers, and community partners in a timely and respectful manner. We believe that accessibility is a shared responsibility and a core value of our organization.

Accessible Customer Service

In compliance with the AODA Customer Service Standard, TBEN is committed to:
Treating all people with dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity
Allowing the use of assistive devices, service animals, and support persons
Communicating in ways that take into account a person’s disability
Responding promptly to accessibility-related inquiries and accommodation requests

Information & Communications
In alignment with the AODA Information and Communications Standard, TBEN aims to:

Use clear, plain language in written materials
Provide information in accessible formats upon request
Ensure online content is compatible with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers
Make forms, applications, and resources as accessible as reasonably possible
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

Website Accessibility
TBEN is committed to making its website accessible and strives to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards, as required under Ontario law. We regularly review and update our website to improve accessibility and usability across devices.

Employment & Volunteer Practices
TBEN is committed to fair and accessible practices related to employment and volunteer involvement, in compliance with the AODA Employment Standard, including:

Providing accommodations during recruitment, selection, and onboarding
Supporting individuals with disabilities through individualized accommodation plans
Respecting confidentiality and dignity at all times

Feedback Process
We welcome feedback on how we can improve accessibility. Feedback may be provided in person, by email, or by phone. All feedback will be reviewed and responded to in a timely manner.