Privacy policy

The Government of Ontario operating as AccessForward is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains the current information management practices on accessforward.ca, including any of its subsites or pages (altogether the “website”). By accessing our website, you are agreeing to this Privacy Policy. As this Privacy Policy incorporates by reference the Terms of Use, you are also agreeing to the Terms of Use.

1. Who we are
2. Our commitment and laws
3. You have a choice
4. Collection, notice, use and disclosure
5. Cookies statement
6. Analytics
7. Accountability
8. Who to contact for more information
9. Security
10. Links to other sites

When we say “we”, “us” or “our”, we mean the Government of Ontario operating as AccessForward, a free training website to assist organizations who have obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

We are committed to protecting your privacy whether you are browsing for information or conducting business with the government through electronic channels. The handling of all personal information by Government of Ontario organizations is governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”).

When you visit our website, we will not collect your personal information unless you choose to provide it to us. If you do not consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your Personal Information in accordance with this Privacy Policy, do not provide us with any Personal Information.

This Privacy Policy explains our current practices regarding what information we may collect, use, and secure when you visit our website.

Collection. We may only collect personal information that is specifically authorized at law, or where the collection is necessary to provide you with a program or service. We collect personal information directly from you, unless another manner of collection is authorized by law.

Notice. When we collect personal information in connection with providing a program or service, we provide you with a notice that explains (at minimum) the:

• • legal authority for the collection

  • principal purposes for which the information will be used

  • contact information of a person who can answer your questions about the collection, use and disclosure of your information

A Notice may include more information than what is set out above.

Use. We may only use personal information for the purpose it has been collected, or for a consistent purpose, unless another use is specifically authorized at law.

Disclosure. We may only disclose personal information where we have legal authority to do so, or where the disclosure is for the purpose that we collected the information such as providing you with a program or service.

What kind of information is collected? When you browse or download information from our website, our servers automatically collect limited amounts of standard information for traffic monitoring and statistical purposes. The information is analyzed for operational trends, performance, and for ways to improve our sites. The Government of Ontario operating as AccessForward cannot identify you from this information.

We collect the following standard types of information:

• • Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the computers being used to access our sites
  • operating systems and the types and versions of browsers used to access our sites
  • Internet Service Providers used by visitors to our sites
  • dates and times individuals access our sites
  • pages visited
  • keywords individuals enter into our search engine
  • names and sizes of files requested

We collect the above noted information to provide you with access to information available on our website. Our computer systems use hardware and software to anonymously monitor unauthorized attempts to upload or change information at our website, disrupt service, or otherwise cause damage. As a general practice, we make no attempt to link this information with the identity of individuals visiting our sites. If an attempt to damage our website has been detected, we can take further action.

What happens when you send us personal information?

You may choose to provide us with personal information such as your name and e-mail address if you wish to:

• • submit an e-mail, comment, question, request or subscribe for information online
  • provide feedback and answer surveys online

When you visit our website, any personal information you provide will be used to respond to your message and/or provide you with the requested service or product. The collection of personal information by government organizations must be in accordance with section 38(2) of FIPPA. This section of FIPPA requires government organizations to collect only the personal information that is necessary for the administration of a government program. At the time the information is collected, you will be informed of the specific purpose for which it is being collected.

Withdrawing consent. You may, at any time, withdraw your consent to AccessForwards’ collection, use and disclosure of your Personal Information, subject to reasonable notice and any legal and/or contractual restrictions. Should you choose to withdraw your consent, AccessForward may be unable to provide, or continue to provide, the services that can only be provided if we receive appropriate and required Personal Information.

The Government of Ontario cares how information about our users is collected and shared. This notice describes our cookies policy. By visiting the AccessForward website, you are accepting the practices described below.

What are cookies? Cookies are small files stored on your device when you visit a website. Cookies do not give us access to your hard drive and do not allow us to make changes to your device. They collect information anonymously, allowing us to collect statistical information that provides you with a better user experience.

We do not store personal information in cookies, and we do not collect personal information from you without your knowledge.

What kinds of cookies do we use? The AccessForward website uses four types of cookies.

Cookies that measure website use

We use Google Analytics to measure how you use the website so we can improve it for future visits. We do not allow Google and/or any third parties to use or share the data about how you use this site.

Google Analytics sets cookies that store anonymous information about:

• • how you got to the site (from a search engine, third party link, etc.)
  • the pages you visit on accessforward.ca website
  • how long you spend on each page
  • what you click on while you are visiting the website
  • what device and browser you use to access the pages

Cookies that remember your settings

These cookies help us to remember your preferences and the choices you make when on the website. This will personalize your experience using the AccessForward website. For example, language settings.

Cookies that support our digital website

These cookies are required for filling out forms and transactions. The cookies track your steps as you fill out a form, saving the information as you go. You must have cookies enabled to use this feature online.

Cookies that help with communications and marketing

These cookies, which may be set by third-party websites, use online activity to help deliver more relevant advertising. This may happen because our website may website host third-party content (such as YouTube videos) and we use Google Analytics. We also use Google Analytics Advertising Features to help improve how we communicate with our users. For more information on Google Analytics Advertising Features, see the analytics section of our Privacy Policy. These third parties may track your online activities across other websites. We have attempted to limit the privacy impacts of third-party cookies on the AccessForward website.

How to manage your cookies settings. You can manage your cookies settings and permissions within your browser. This also applies to third-party cookies. This may affect your experience when you interact with AccessForward online.

The following are links to how to change your cookies settings on common browsers:

• • Google Chrome
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Internet Explorer

For other browsers and/or additional information on how you can manage your cookies settings, check the “Help” section or support website for your browser.

In order to serve you better, we use analytics including Google Analytics and Webtrends to help analyse the use of our website. These tools use cookies to collect and generate information about your visits to our website (including your IP address) that is transmitted to their servers in an anonymous form for processing. We study patterns of website activity so we can improve the experience of visitors to our sites. The use of these tools does not allow us or our analytics service providers to identify individuals. You can opt-out of analytics activity by setting your browser to notify you when a cookie is sent and block analytics cookies if desired. Please consult your browser’s Help Menu for instructions. Visiting our website with analytics cookies disabled will have no significant impact on your browsing experience. Google currently offers a free Google Analytics opt-out tool for Internet Explorer (versions 7 and 8), Google Chrome (4.x and higher), and Mozilla Firefox (3.5 and higher).

FIPPA requires government organizations to protect the personal information in their possession. The Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) oversees whether government organizations comply with the access and privacy provisions of the Act by investigating privacy complaints and hearing appeals regarding access decisions made by ministries. For more information about making a privacy complaint to the IPC, see the IPC website Filing a Privacy Complaint. For more information about appealing an access or correction decision to the IPC, see the IPC website Filing an Appeal.

Questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy or the administration of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) by AccessForward may be directed to the Regional and Corporate Services Division of the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility by e-mailing padma.desouza@ontario.ca or calling 647-646-5503 or writing to:

The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
Regional and Corporate Services Division
Business Services Integration Branch
Corporate Support Unit
Records Management
2nd Floor, 400 University Avenue,
Toronto, ON
M7A 2R9

AccessForward security practices are continually evolving to ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of information and systems are maintained. We use up-to-date security safeguards to protect our network and website from misuse, alteration, copying, disclosure, destruction, monitoring or unauthorized sharing of information and damage. Our safeguards include the use of security software and encryption protocols and involve physical, technical and procedural controls to protect information behind our firewall.

Our website may contain links to other websites and website of third parties. While we try to link only to websites that share our high standards and respect for privacy, we cannot say for sure if this is the case. As such, AccessForward is not responsible whatsoever for the content of, or the privacy practices employed by, other website operators and owners. Any use by you of such links is at your sole risk and liability.