Disability Justice United - Community Guidelines & Terms

Welcome Statement

Welcome to Disability Justice United, a coalition of helping professionals with disabilities, allies, and advocates working together to address ableism and advance disability justice within professional settings. These guidelines are designed to foster a respectful, inclusive, and productive community environment.

Community Values

Our community is founded on these core values:

• Respect: We recognize the dignity and worth of every person
• Inclusion: We actively work to ensure all voices are heard and valued
• Accessibility: We strive to make our community accessible to all members
• Accountability: We take responsibility for our words and actions
• Collaboration: We work together toward shared goals
• Confidentiality: We respect privacy and maintain appropriate boundaries

Community Guidelines

1. Respectful Communication

• Use respectful, inclusive language when discussing disability and other marginalized identities
• Listen actively and approach disagreements with openness and curiosity
• Avoid making assumptions about others' experiences or identities
• Respect different communication styles and access needs

2. Content and Discussion

• Stay focused on topics related to disability justice, professional advocacy, and related issues
• Share resources, experiences, and expertise that benefit the community
• Provide content warnings when discussing potentially sensitive or triggering topics
• Respect intellectual property and properly attribute sources

3. Privacy and Confidentiality

• Do not share personal information about other members without their explicit consent
• Do not share content from this community on external platforms without permission
• When sharing professional experiences, protect client/patient confidentiality
• Respect members' privacy regarding disclosure of disabilities or other personal information

4. Inclusive Participation

• Make space for diverse voices, especially those from multiply marginalized backgrounds
• Consider accessibility in all interactions (clear language, image descriptions, etc.)
• Recognize and respect differing access needs and communication styles
• Be mindful of how much space you take up in discussions

Prohibited Behavior

The following behaviors are not permitted within our community:

• Hate speech, discriminatory language, or derogatory comments
• Harassment, bullying, or personal attacks
• Spam, excessive self-promotion, or unrelated commercial content
• Sharing misinformation or unverified claims about disability or health topics
• Violating others' privacy or confidentiality
• Any illegal activity or content

Moderation Approach

Our moderation team follows these principles:

1. Educational approach: We prioritize education over punishment when mistakes occur
2. Progressive response: Actions range from gentle reminders to removal depending on severity and pattern
3. Transparency: We will communicate clearly about moderation decisions
4. Accessibility: Our moderation processes are designed to be accessible to all members

Community moderators reserve the right to remove content, issue warnings, or remove members who violate these guidelines. Serious violations may result in immediate removal without warning.

Terms and Conditions

Membership Eligibility

Membership is open to:

• Helping professionals with disabilities
• Helping professionals without disabilities who are committed allies
• Disability advocates and activists
• Students in helping professions
• Others with a demonstrated commitment to disability justice

Member Responsibilities

By joining this community, you agree to:

1. Abide by all community guidelines
2. Participate in good faith and with respect for others
3. Report guideline violations to community moderators
4. Accept moderator decisions regarding content and conduct

Intellectual Property

1. Members retain ownership of original content they share
2. By posting in the community, you grant permission for your content to be viewed by other members
3. Sharing resources is encouraged, but please properly attribute sources and respect copyright
4. Community resources developed collaboratively are for member use only unless otherwise specified

Privacy Policy

1. Member information will never be sold or shared with third parties
2. Optional demographic information may be collected to improve community services
3. Community administrators will protect member privacy to the best of their ability
4. Members are expected to respect each other's privacy and confidentiality

Disclaimer

1. This community is not a substitute for professional services, legal advice, or medical care
2. Views expressed by individual members do not necessarily represent the community as a whole
3. Community administrators cannot verify all information shared - use critical thinking
4. The community strives for accessibility but cannot guarantee all content will be accessible to all members

Modifications to Terms

1. These terms may be modified periodically to better serve the community
2. Significant changes will be communicated to all members
3. Continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance of updated terms

Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or to report violations of these guidelines, please contact the community administrators at:

Email: [email protected]

Acknowledgment

By joining Disability Justice United, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to follow these community guidelines and terms of participation.

Last updated: February 27, 2025