Surveillance technology, use of photographs or video and the person’s right to privacy

NDIA’s privacy policy is to respect and protect the privacy of all people connected with the NDIA, including participants, providers, employees, contractors and community partners. This Privacy Policy tells you the kinds of personal information we, and others collect and hold, how and why we collect and hold that information and how we use it.

Surveillance technology refers to devices that collect information about an individual through electronic means. Examples include:

• The use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) that captures visual and audio footage.  This may include still image or live feed data obtained through camera and video devices.
• Audio monitors, such as baby monitors and intercoms.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) devices that allow a person’s location to be tracked. This may include smart phone tracking applications, wearable watches, and electronic monitoring bracelets.
• Motion sensor alarms that can detect the physical movement of a person in a certain area.

Informal feedback suggests that surveillance technology is commonly used, or is proposed for use with people with disability and in disability settings to:

• Keep the person and/ or others safe.
• Monitor the person’s health (e.g., monitor seizure activity for a person with epilepsy).
• Collect data about a person’s behaviors of concern.
• Facilitate increased independence.
• Prevent abuse and neglect of people with disability.

There is insufficient evidence to indicate that surveillance technology can achieve all the above goals. The use of CCTV is complex and require a well-articulated surveillance policy however if used in common areas, it will require consent and agreement from all residents. We at Support Foundation use CCTV only at the common area of the SIL accommodation and consent has been collected from all the residents. A notification of CCTV in use are displayed for public in all the accommodations. Surveillance technology used by Support Foundation while delivering supports to people with disability does not constitute a restrictive practice because it does not affect the right or freedom of movement of a person with disability.

Support Foundation recognises the need to ensure the privacy, welfare and safety of all people taking part in any activities associated our organisation. In accordance with our privacy policy, we will not permit photographs, video or other images of people to be taken without their or parents or carers consent. At Support Foundation, we regularly take pictures or video of activities carried out by us to support our participants. This may include you participating in any group activity, taking medication, any injury that might have occurred and many more. All our SIL accommodations are CCTV monitored for safety reasons. As you are part of our organisation, we would like to ask for your consent to take your photographs or videos whenever you are under our care. It is likely that these images may be used as

• A record of the activity or the event has been delivered (this may also include asking for your signature for activity log approval)
• In an evaluation report of the activity or event that will be presented by our organisation
• Publicity materials like but not limited for further activities or events on leaflets / websites/ social media / magazines or reports
• Illustrations of the activities or events in published articles

Our organisation will take all steps to ensure these images are used solely for the purposes they are intended. If you become aware that these images are being used inappropriately, you should inform us immediately.