Overview
This privacy statement explains how Deaf Links handles personal information when you contact us, use our services, make referrals, volunteer, attend training or events, hire rooms, use communication support services, or visit this website.
Deaf Links is a lived experience-led charity supporting Deaf BSL users, Hard of Hearing people, Deafened people, Deafblind individuals, and people with sight loss or dual sensory loss across Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross.
Who we are
Organisation: Deaf Links
Address: Tayside Deaf Hub, 23 Brown Street, Dundee, DD1 5EF
Phone: 01382 201077
Email: info@deaflinks.org.uk
Contact Scotland BSL can be used for support with landline communication.
Information we may collect
We only collect information needed to provide safe, accessible and effective support. Depending on the service, we may collect:
- Identity and contact details, such as name, phone, email and address
- Preferred communication method, language and accessibility requirements
- Service-related information, such as booking requests, referral details and appointment notes
- Safeguarding and risk information where required to protect someone from harm
- Volunteer, training or room hire administration details
- Website enquiry form content you choose to submit
Special category data
Some of our services involve information about health, disability, communication needs, or experiences of abuse. This is special category data under UK data protection law. Where we process this data, we do so only when necessary and under an appropriate legal basis and condition, with strict confidentiality safeguards.
How we use your information
We use your information to:
- Respond to your enquiries and requests
- Provide advocacy, communication booking, support, and referrals
- Manage room hire, training, volunteering and service appointments
- Improve service quality and accessibility
- Meet legal, safeguarding and regulatory requirements
Lawful basis
We process personal information under lawful bases that may include consent, legitimate interests, contractual necessity, legal obligations, substantial public interest, and vital interests where appropriate.
Referrals and partnership working
To provide joined-up support, we sometimes work with partner organisations and agencies. We only share relevant information when necessary for your support, when you have agreed, or when sharing is required for safeguarding or legal reasons.
Safeguarding and duty of care
We may share information without consent if we believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person, or where we are legally required to do so. We always aim to keep information sharing proportionate and limited to what is necessary.
Sharing information
We do not sell your personal information. Information may be shared with trusted service partners, funders (in anonymised or aggregated form where possible), regulators, or legal authorities when required and lawful.
Data security and retention
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to keep your information secure, including access controls and secure record handling practices. We keep information only as long as necessary for service delivery, safeguarding, legal, regulatory and funding obligations, then securely delete or anonymise it.
Website and cookies
This website may use basic technical cookies required for normal site operation. If additional analytics or third-party services are added in future, this statement will be updated to explain what data is collected and why.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you may have rights including:
- Access to your personal information
- Correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Erasure in certain circumstances
- Restriction or objection to processing in certain circumstances
- Data portability where applicable
- Withdrawal of consent where consent is relied on
To exercise your rights, contact us using the details below.
Children and vulnerable adults
Where services involve children or vulnerable adults, we process information with additional care and in line with safeguarding responsibilities.
Contact us
For questions about this privacy statement or your data rights, contact Deaf Links on 01382 201077 or email info@deaflinks.org.uk.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how your information has been handled, please contact us first so we can try to resolve your concern. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
Updates to this statement
We may update this privacy statement from time to time to reflect service changes, legal requirements or website updates. The latest version will always be published on this page.