Message Board

Terms of Usage
DISCUSSION GROUP RULES

In order to take full advantage of this Discussion Group (hereinafter referred to as "Group") on disability issues, you must read and understand the following rules and operating procedures of the Group and agree to abide by the rules and operating procedures in their entirety. This Group was created and is administered by the webmaster at the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living. As such, rules and operating procedures of this Group must be followed. Your access to this Group is a privilege, not a right. The act of joining the Group and your use of the Group constitutes your acceptance of and agreement to be bound by these Group rules.

These rules will be enforced and violators may, at the sole discretion of the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living, be suspended or "Locked Out" of the Group. Certain behavior carries potential risk to the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living and cannot be allowed.

Members are encouraged to bring to the attention of the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living to a potentially problematic message or messages.

While there is nothing wrong with a healthy argument, you must not use offensive language or engage in personal attacks on members (or non-members) or the staff of the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living. Personal attacks may subject you and the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living to potential liability for defamation, contribute nothing to the free flow of ideas, and tend to inhibit rational discussion of the issues. The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living is not limited in any way in deciding whether a particular message may be offensive to a particular member or the Group in general. Examples of potentially offensive messages include, but are not limited to, messages that denigrate, insult or ridicule another person, or that contain negative comments on the integrity, personality, honesty, character, intelligence, methods or motives of any person.

In addition, you must respect the privacy of the members (and non-members) of the Group. Do not publish private messages or e-mail messages without the permission of the sender (unless you feel a Group rule has been broken; if so, forward the message privately to the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living privately for evaluation. Do not publish facts, rumors, or innuendo regarding anyone's personal life.

Members may not use profanity or sexually explicit language in the Group. Although these terms are not easy to define, the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living and sysop staff may use its discretion to make this Group comfortable for members who may be sensitive to profane or sexually explicit language.

You may not use the Group to promote or facilitate illegal activities.

Planning, inciting, promoting or facilitating illegal activities through the Group is strictly prohibited.

You may not post copyrighted, trademarked, or other proprietary material without the express permission of the owner.

Because it is important that this Group is useful and enjoyable to all its members, we will take appropriate action, which may be a warning, a suspension, or termination of your continued participation in the Group. If the Group member(s) decide to violate the terms and/or intent of the rules set forth above, to a degree of severity which threatens the security or order of the Group, the Group Discussion will be disbanded and removed from the website.

INDEMNIFICATION

Operation of this community carries inherent risks to the Group because the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living staff literally cannot control all aspects of the Group at all times. Accordingly, by joining the Group, you agree to indemnify the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living for any damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees, that accrue to the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living as a result of or arising out of your activities on the Group, including, but not limited to, any claims for violation of any copyright, trademark, or protected material, or any claim of defamation, slander, libel, disparagement, or the like.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

You join and participate in the Group at your own risk. The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living shall not be liable for any damages or losses which result to you from your use of or participation in this Group.

CHOICE OF LAW AND GROUP

In joining this Group, you agree that any disputes between you and the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living will be governed by the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for all disputes arising out of or related to your membership or participation in the Group.

Any and all actions and proceedings relating to this Group or activities on this Group shall take place in courts located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

NO WARRANTIES

The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living makes no warranty, express or implied, that access to the Group will be available at any particular time; that operation of the Group will be uninterrupted or error-free; or that any particular result or information will be obtained. Membership in the Group is offered "AS IS" Basis without warranties of any kind, other than warranties which are incapable of exclusion, waiver, or restriction under the law applicable hereto.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

The operating rules and procedures of this Group as described here constitute the entire agreement between you and the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living concerning your participation in this Group. The operating rules and procedures of the Group may change from time to time and such changes will be posted in this Announcement. Only the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living can change a rule or policy of this Group.

SEVERABILITY

If any of the rules, promises, conditions or agreements described here are held to be void, invalid, or unenforceable, it shall not affect the enforceability, effectiveness, or validity of any of the other rules, promises, conditions or agreements.

If you have read and agree to the terms of the foregoing rules and operating procedures, you may use the Group.