Privacy Policy
Effective date: October 2, 2026
HIGSI Disability Network (“HIGSI”, “we”, “us”) is a community-led nonprofit organization based in Ontario, Canada. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website, higsi.org (the “Site”), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. We handle personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable Canadian privacy laws.
Information we collect
We collect personal information only when you choose to give it to us, and only what we need for the purpose you are using the Site for:
- Contact and volunteer forms — your name, email address, phone number (if provided) and the message or details you type into the form.
- Donations — your name, email address, billing address, donation amount and any note you add. Card and payment details are entered directly with our payment processor (such as Stripe or PayPal) and are never stored on our servers.
- Newsletter sign-up — your email address when you subscribe through the “Stay Connected” box.
- Program and event registrations — the information requested on the registration form, which may include accessibility or accommodation needs you choose to share so we can support your participation.
- Technical information — when you visit the Site our systems automatically record standard log data such as your IP address, browser type, device, pages visited and the date and time of your visit. We may also use cookies and similar technologies (see “Cookies” below).
How we use your information
We use personal information to:
- respond to your questions, requests and messages;
- process and acknowledge your donation, issue confirmations and keep accurate financial records;
- register you for programs, workshops and events, and arrange any accommodations you request;
- send you our newsletter, event updates and other communications you have asked to receive (you can unsubscribe at any time);
- coordinate volunteer opportunities;
- operate, secure and improve the Site, including understanding how it is used;
- meet our legal, accounting and regulatory obligations.
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information.
Who we share information with
We share personal information only with service providers who help us run the Site and our organization, and only to the extent needed for them to do so. These may include:
- Payment processors (for example Stripe and PayPal) to process donations securely. Their handling of your data is governed by their own privacy policies.
- Website hosting and security providers that store and protect the Site and its data.
- Email and newsletter services used to send communications you have subscribed to.
- Analytics providers that help us understand how the Site is used, in aggregate.
Some of these providers may store or process information outside Canada (for example in the United States). Where that happens, your information may be subject to the laws of that country. We choose providers that maintain appropriate safeguards.
We may also disclose personal information if required by law, court order or a government authority, or to protect the rights, safety or property of HIGSI, our community members or others.
Cookies and analytics
The Site uses cookies and similar technologies to keep it working properly (for example remembering your language preference or the items in a donation checkout), to improve performance, and, where enabled, to collect anonymous usage statistics. You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings; some features of the Site may not work correctly if cookies are disabled.
How we protect your information
We use reasonable physical, technical and administrative safeguards to protect personal information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure or misuse, including secure (HTTPS) connections, access controls and reputable third-party providers. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to protect your information appropriately for its sensitivity.
How long we keep information
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above or as required by law. Donation records are kept for the period required for financial and tax purposes (generally seven years). Newsletter subscriptions are kept until you unsubscribe. Form submissions are deleted when they are no longer needed to respond to your request.
Your choices and rights
- Access and correction — you may ask to see the personal information we hold about you and request corrections.
- Withdrawal of consent — you may withdraw your consent to our use of your information at any time, subject to legal or contractual limits. Every newsletter includes an unsubscribe link.
- Deletion — you may ask us to delete your personal information, and we will do so unless we are required to keep it.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.
Children
The Site is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without the consent of a parent or guardian. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will remove it.
Links to other websites
The Site may contain links to third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices, and we encourage you to read their privacy policies.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of the page shows when it was last revised. Continued use of the Site after a change means you accept the updated policy.
Contact us
If you have questions or concerns about this policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer:
HIGSI Disability Network
2667 Kipling Ave W, Etobicoke, ON M9N 4N9
Phone: (437) 221-9160
Email: info@higsi.org
Or use our Contact page.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.