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Confidentiality (keeping things private)

The Sharing Our Stories project adheres to a policy of Confidentiality.

A woman with a disability is likely to be isolated, alone in her disability. A DAWN group is one of the few places she may feel safe enough to share very private, personal information and experiences. Members of DAWN groups, therefore, may end up hearing some confidential (very private) information about some members of the group.

In respecting our members' right to privacy and confidentiality, we have developed norms and guidelines around the sharing of information and how information will be used.

In terms of our electronic list, we have a list norm that requests members do not share any information off of our electronic list (e-list) ever unless the individual posting includes a notation that it is fine to do so.

Additionally, the e-list is set up with restricted membership access. This means that all members who have requested to join the e-list, have been pre-screened. All new members are required to respond to the following questions:

1. Do you self-identify as a woman with a disAbility?

2. Do you accept and agree to follow the list norm around confidentiality?

3. What is your interest in participating in the Sharing Our Stories project?

In terms of women's stories, such stories will only be shared online via this project website only when prior consent has been provided by the author.

Pen names are welcome.