Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is in the process of updating its current social media policy for all staff, consumers and students.

Facebook Pages/Groups

The purpose of our Facebook page (or group) is to provide an online community for students, consumers, staff, parents and family at The Alabama Institute of Deaf and Blind(AIDB).

Goal: Our goal is to share information and tips, update the community on events and programs, and showcase the achievements of students, consumers, staff, parents, and other community members.

Community Rules

• We encourage you to ask questions and share information. We request that you keep discussions focused directly concerning our our community.
• We encourage posts that highlight our community’s accomplishments and constructively raise issues for discussion.
  When posting, please use appropriate language. Children can see our page (or group).
• If you choose, you can post photos of your children, or consumer at institute events. Do not post photos of other children, or consumers. If you have any questions about posting a particular photo, please check with the Facebook page (group) administrator.
• Do not post about concerns, problems, or conflicts with individual teachers, administrators, students, consumers, staff, or parents. We will immediately delete posts that in any way put down or discriminate against individuals.
• Online threats will be taken seriously, and proper authorities will be immediately notified.
• Do not post information commonly understood as confidential, such as student grades.
• Any inflammatory statements that make allegations against individuals or organizations will be deleted.
• Keep in mind what you post is public information (or, if this pertains to a Facebook group, state that it is public to all members of the group).
• Any advertising for businesses is not allowed.
• Do not publish content as your own that has been created by others.

The AIDB Facebook administrators reserve the right to delete comments and block users who are not following the rules stated above.

(This is a draft policy adapted from an example of the National Parent Teacher Organization, this policy was created using their template which is meant for free use by schools and PTOs in the United States.)

AIDB Social Media Policy for Employees – 12/14/2016

The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind is the world’s most comprehensive organization serving individuals who are deaf, blind deafblind and multidisabled. Our employees, consumers and stakeholders identify with our mission and all of us are very passionate about what we do on a daily basis.

At AIDB we believe in integrity and in open and honest communication and you are encouraged to tell the world about our work and share our passion. We may do so through conventional media or by participating in various forms of social media.

However, in order to preserve the integrity, legality and appropriateness of messaging, we must talk to each other and to our consumers, target audiences and partners in social media within guidelines that will prevent problems or misunderstandings and ensure that we communicate responsibly and with accountability.

1. When you discuss matters related to AIDB on the internet, you must identify yourself with your name and your relevant role at AIDB and state that it is your personal opinion. Only a few people are designated as official spokespersons for AIDB, so if you are not one of them you must make clear that you are speaking for yourself and not for AIDB.
2. Protect yourself, act responsibly and ethically. Be careful about the personal or professional information you share online.
3. Honor AIDB policies. We do not tolerate discrimination - including age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws.
4. We abide by a strict adherence to privacy and protected information related to our students and clients. Never publish or disclose personal information related to students, consumers, etc. without written permission as appropriate from parent, guardian and/or AIDB administration.
5. Do not comment on legal or political issues related to AIDB unless authorized by the President or legal counsel to do so.
6. Federal Labor laws define specific guidelines in communication citing differences between freedom of speech and individual “gripe” sessions.  Ask yourself – is the issue I am discussing personal or a group concern? Integrity is an important AIDB value - avoid writing or posting anything that would embarrass AIDB or compromise your ability to do your job. Follow established AIDB procedures for reporting specific issues to a supervisor or administration.
7. Basically, if you find yourself wondering if something you learned or experienced should be discussed on social media – don’t. Remember that you are personally responsible for the content you publish on social media.

Violation of this policy can result in disciplinary action including official reprimand or termination.