Mutual Aid Community Terms and Conditions

1. Platform Purpose

Our mutual aid platform ("Platform") exists to facilitate community-based support and resource sharing among individuals with a focus on disability justice and community care. We operate as a grassroots, community-oriented initiative built on principles of solidarity, not charity.

The Platform serves to connect those with needs to those with resources through direct community action, outside of traditional institutional frameworks. By using our Platform, you acknowledge and agree to participate in this community-centered approach to meeting needs and building solidarity.

2. User Eligibility

By using this Platform, you affirm that:

• You are at least 18 years of age or are using this Platform with the supervision and consent of a legal guardian.
• You embrace the values of mutual aid, community support, and respect for human dignity.
• You understand that this Platform centers the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly disabled and neurodivergent individuals.
• You agree to engage respectfully with all community members regardless of disability status, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status.

We reserve the absolute right to determine who may access and use our Platform. Access is a privilege, not a right.

3. Community Standards

Our Platform explicitly prohibits and will not tolerate:

• Racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religious discrimination, or any other form of bigotry
• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any community member
• Exploitation of vulnerable community members
• Spreading misinformation or harmful content
• Actions that undermine the principles of disability justice and mutual aid

We explicitly reserve the right to refuse service to anyone promoting discriminatory views or engaging in harmful behaviors. This includes those with a known history of such actions, even if not displayed directly on our Platform.

Determination of what constitutes a violation of these standards is at the sole discretion of Platform administrators, whose decisions are final.

4. Vetting Process

To maintain the integrity and safety of our community, we implement a vetting process that includes but is not limited to:

• Review of all submitted information and requests
• A phone or video conversation with applicants before posting their requests
• Verification of certain information when deemed necessary
• Ongoing monitoring of account activity

By using our Platform, you consent to this vetting process and understand that:

• All decisions regarding approval of users and campaigns are at our sole discretion
• We may reject any application without providing detailed reasoning
• We may suggest modifications to your request to better align with community guidelines or to protect your privacy
• Providing false information during this process is grounds for immediate removal from the Platform

5. Content Guidelines

All content posted to our Platform must:

• Be truthful and accurate
• Respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals
• Align with our community values of mutual support and disability justice
• Not include harmful, misleading, or exploitative information

We may require users to adjust their profiles or requests to:

• Protect them from potential privacy risks or exploitation
• Make their stories clearer and more accessible to potential supporters
• Remove potentially sensitive personal information
• Comply with our community standards

We reserve the right to edit or remove any content that violates these guidelines at our sole discretion.

6. Platform Rights

As administrators of this Platform, we reserve the right to:

• Accept or deny any user registration or aid request without explanation
• Remove users who violate our terms or who we determine pose a risk to our community
• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Platform at any time
• Update these terms and conditions as needed to better protect our community
• Make final determinations on all disputes related to Platform use

These rights are exercised with the goal of maintaining a safe, supportive environment that centers the needs of marginalized community members, particularly disabled individuals.

7. User Responsibilities

By using our Platform, you acknowledge and accept the following responsibilities:

• You are solely responsible for the content you post and any consequences that may result from your postings
• You must maintain the confidentiality of your account information
• You will not use the Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• You will notify us immediately of any security breach or unauthorized use of your account
• You will engage with other community members respectfully and in good faith

You understand that failure to meet these responsibilities may result in immediate termination of your access to the Platform.

8. Disclaimers and Limitations

Our Platform operates on these important understandings:

• We are a grassroots community initiative, not a formal charitable organization or professional service provider
• We make no guarantees regarding the fulfillment of any request posted on the Platform
• We do not verify the accuracy of all information posted by users
• We are not responsible for transactions or arrangements made between users
• We are not liable for any damages resulting from use of the Platform or interactions between users

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE ACTION, WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU, IF ANY, FOR USE OF OUR PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT WILL WE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES.

9. Changes to Terms

We may modify these terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the modified terms.

We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of significant changes, but it remains your responsibility to regularly review these terms.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which our organization primarily operates, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.

Any dispute arising from these terms or use of the Platform shall first be addressed through good faith negotiation between the parties. If such negotiations fail, disputes will be resolved through mediation before pursuing any legal remedies.