Governance
Code of Ethics
Our Code of Ethics sets out the ethical standards that guide the VOC in the design and delivery of its programmes and services to the children and the families we serve, in our dealings with others in our community and in our business practices. In addition to this organizational Code of Ethics, our teachers and other professionals are guided by Codes of Ethics specific to their field of specialization.
- Dignity and Respect - We respect the dignity and worth of all people.
- Diversity -We recognize and value the diversity of our community and in the people we work with and serve. We endeavour to be respectful and sensitive of cultural and other differences and to accommodate these differences wherever possible.
- Relationships with Others -We believe that all persons deserve to be treated respectfully and in a way that recognizes their personal value and that of their knowledge and beliefs. We work to build our relationships on the basis of mutual respect and trust.
- Quality of Service and Professional Standards -We strive to achieve and exceed the highest degree of professional standards and competence in the design and delivery of our programmes and services.
- Information -We recognize the importance of the information we provide to our clients and strive to ensure that it is complete, timely and of high quality.
- Confidentiality -We respect and uphold peoples' right to confidentiality and privacy.
- Safety and Security -We uphold our special responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the children we serve. We strive to ensure the safety of clients, staff and volunteers when at the VOC or involved in VOC activities.
- Business Practices -We conduct our business honestly, fairly, openly and transparently and endeavour to develop and maintain business relationships that are respectful and based on mutual trust.
Statement of the Rights of Persons Served
Persons served by the Vancouver Oral Centre for Deaf Children have the
right to:
- be treated with dignity, respect and in a way that reflects a sensitivity to cultural and other differences;
- enjoy an environment that is safe, secure and free from humiliation;
- informed consent and to withdraw from or decline services;
- maintain their privacy and confidentiality of the personal information they provide to the VOC;
- a high standard of professional judgment in VOC professionals in providing, to the best of their ability, educational, audition and spoken language development services;
- support services such as but not limited to: referrals (service agencies, health authorities, legal council, schools and other appropriate entities), interpretation services, family support worker, audiology services and/or written resource materials; and
- complain about services provided or avail themselves of VOC's grievance process on a 'no reprisal' basis.
Personal Information Privacy Policy for Parents and Students
Safeguarding personal information of parents and students is a fundamental concern of the VOC and we are committed to meeting or exceeding the privacy standards established by British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), FOIPPA (Canada) and other applicable legislation.
This Personal Information Privacy Policy describes the policies and practices of the VOC regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information about children and parents.
The VOC may add, modify or remove portions of this Personal Information Privacy Policy when it is considered appropriate to do so, and any such changes will be effective upon giving notice of the revised policy. You may ask for the most recent update of this Personal Information Privacy Policy at the VOC office or by e-mail.