Online Communication Matrix Terms of Use

(updated April 12, 2012)
ASSESSMENT
  1. Use of Personal Identifier
    1. Creation of a personal identifier is required to use the Communication Matrix. This identifier or "nickname" is intended to allow users who may assess multiple individuals to more readily identify their previously completed matrices.
    2. When creating a personal identifier, you agree to avoid including any identifying information including but not limited to:
      • Surnames or Full Names
      • Geographic subdivisions smaller than a state
      • For subjects older than 89 years of age, specific age may not be mentioned
      • Telephone number
      • Fax number
      • Social security number
      • Medical record number
      • Health plan beneficiary number
      • Any other account numbers
      • Medical device identification or serial number
      • Personal website URL
      • Internet protocol (IP) address
      • Any other unique identifying number, characteristic, or code
  2. How We Use the Information Collected
    1. When you use this service, we ask you to provide some very basic information about the individual that you are assessing (gender, age, ethnic background, country of residence, disability and specific impairments) and your relationship to that person. We do not request any identifying information from users. When you complete the Matrix online, the information you provide will be stored. This information will provide valuable data about the communication skills demonstrated by individuals with various disabilities. This information may be summarized in scientific reports, professional presentations, articles in professional journals and book chapters.
    2. We have no way of indentifying who has used this service. Login information is stored in a separate database so that users may retrieve a lost password.
  3. Use of Communication Matrix Results
    1. Clinical and Educational Use
      1. Use of the Communication Matrix results for planning clinical and/or educational interventions and programs is acceptable, provided the user does not breach the confidentiality of the person who is being assessed by disclosing Protected Health Information to unauthorized parties.
      2. Protected Health Information disclosure occurs when any information about an individual’s health status or demographics are combined in a single location with any identifying information including but not limited to those listed in 1.b. above.
    2. Academic Use
      1. Use of the Communication Matrix results for publication in an academic journal is permitted, provided the author is properly cited.
      2. An example of an acceptable citation: Rowland, C. (2009). Communication Matrix. Retrieved [date] from www.communicationmatrix.org
CUSTOM REPORT
  1. Protecting Identifiable Information
    1. You may enter identifiable information into Custom Reports at your own discretion. The data entered to create a Custom Report stays in our database, but it is not used for research purposes or for any other any purpose. If you are concerned about leaving identifiable information in our database, you may create the Custom Report, save the PDF to your own computer, and then delete the report from our database