Privacy Policy
Down Syndrome Love Society, Inc.
Effective Date: October 22, 2026
At Down Syndrome Love Society (DSLS), we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build meaningful connections, explore relationships, and experience love on their own terms.
We also believe that trust begins with privacy.
This Privacy Policy explains how Down Syndrome Love Society, Inc., a Georgia nonprofit corporation, collects, uses, stores, and shares personal information through our website, membership applications, matchmaking services, communications, and related programs.
1. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with DSLS, we may collect the following information:
Personal Information
Name, age, and date of birth
Email address and telephone number
City and state of residence
Photographs voluntarily submitted
Contact information for a designated support person, when applicable
Membership & Matchmaking Information
Interests, hobbies, and personal preferences
Dating preferences and relationship goals
Communication preferences
Accessibility or support needs voluntarily disclosed
Responses to membership applications and compatibility questionnaires
Information voluntarily shared during the matchmaking process
Some information provided through our applications may be sensitive or personal. We ask members to share only what is necessary for participation and meaningful introductions.
Website & Communication Information
We may collect information submitted through contact forms, newsletter subscriptions, event registrations, and other communications.
Our website and service providers may also collect technical information, including IP addresses, browser information, cookies, and website usage data.
Donations
When you make a contribution, we may receive your name, contact information, donation amount, and transaction details. Payment information may be processed by third-party payment providers under their own privacy and security practices.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to:
Process membership applications and maintain member records.
Facilitate potential introductions and matchmaking opportunities.
Communicate with members about applications, matches, events, and community opportunities.
Provide information about participating Date Guide locations and Society Pass benefits.
Respond to questions, requests, and concerns.
Process donations and maintain financial records.
Improve our programs, website, and member experience.
Support the safety, integrity, and administration of our community.
Meet applicable legal and reporting obligations.
We do not use personal information to determine an individual's worth, independence, or ability to experience meaningful relationships.
3. The Society List & Member Introductions
The Society List is a private introduction community for verified adult members.
Each month, DSLS distributes a members-only email featuring participating members' portrait photographs, first names, general Georgia regions, and submitted likes and dislikes.
Members authorize this recurring distribution through their Membership & Participation Agreement.
Members choose for themselves whether they are interested in connecting with another member. DSLS does not select romantic partners or guarantee introductions.
When a member expresses interest, DSLS privately contacts the other individual. Private contact information is shared only when both members provide specific permission for that introduction.
Members may decline an introduction or withdraw from future participation without penalty.
Society List emails are intended for verified members only. However, DSLS cannot guarantee that recipients will not save, copy, or forward information after receiving it.
DSLS does not publicly publish private membership applications or verification records.
4. Privacy, Independence & Support Persons
DSLS is committed to respecting the privacy, preferences, and personal decisions of adults with Down syndrome.
Members may choose to involve a parent, caregiver, guardian, or other trusted support person in communications or participation.
However, a family relationship alone does not automatically authorize another person to access an adult member's private information.
We will consider the member's preferences, applicable legal authority, and any necessary accommodations when responding to requests involving support persons.
Our goal is to support meaningful participation while respecting each adult's dignity, privacy, and independence.
5. Photographs & Personal Stories
DSLS may invite members to share photographs, testimonials, or personal stories for community features, social media, newsletters, and promotional materials.
We will request separate permission before using identifiable member photographs or personal stories for public promotional purposes.
Participation in public features is voluntary and does not affect membership or matchmaking opportunities.
6. Email Communications
Individuals who subscribe to our mailing list may receive updates about DSLS, upcoming events, community opportunities, and participating Date Guide locations.
Members may also receive communications directly related to their applications, participation, or potential matches. Active Society List members receive recurring monthly emails containing member profiles. These emails are part of membership participation and are separate from general promotional communications.
Members who no longer wish to receive Society List emails may request to pause or end their membership. DSLS will then discontinue future profile distribution and membership emails after processing the request.
Marketing emails will include an option to unsubscribe.
Unsubscribing from promotional communications does not necessarily prevent essential messages related to active membership or participation.
7. Donations & Financial Information
Contributions to DSLS are voluntary.
Donation history and related financial information are maintained for administrative, accounting, and legal purposes.
Donations do not influence membership approval, matchmaking decisions, or participation opportunities.
We do not publish individual donation information without appropriate permission, except where disclosure is required by law.
8. Sharing Information With Third Parties
We may share limited information with trusted service providers that help us operate our website, manage communications, process donations, or administer our programs.
These providers may process information only as needed to deliver their services, subject to their applicable terms and privacy practices.
We may also disclose information when required by law or when reasonably necessary to address a serious safety concern.
DSLS does not sell member applications, dating preferences, or personal information to data brokers.
9. Data Security
We take the privacy and security of personal information seriously.
DSLS uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards appropriate to the information we collect and the resources available to our organization.
Access to private membership information is limited to authorized individuals who need it to administer our programs.
No website, electronic communication, or data storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.
10. Data Retention & Deletion
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to administer our programs, maintain appropriate records, fulfill legal obligations, and address legitimate organizational needs. When a Society List member pauses or ends participation, DSLS will stop including their profile in future editions after processing the request. Previously distributed emails cannot be recalled, and DSLS cannot guarantee removal of information independently saved by other recipients.
Members may request to update, correct, or delete their personal information by contacting DSLS.
Certain information may need to be retained for legal, financial, security, or administrative reasons.
A request to delete membership information may affect our ability to continue providing matchmaking services.
11. Membership Eligibility
DSLS's dating and matchmaking services are intended for adults age 21 and older.
We do not knowingly accept minors into our dating or matchmaking programs.
If we discover that a minor has submitted personal information for these services, we will take appropriate steps to remove that information.
12. Third-Party Websites
Our website may include links to restaurants, entertainment venues, nonprofit organizations, payment processors, and other third-party websites.
DSLS is not responsible for the privacy practices of independently operated websites.
We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of any external websites they use.
13. Your Privacy Choices
You may contact DSLS to:
Request access to personal information you have provided.
Correct inaccurate information.
Update communication preferences.
Withdraw permission for future matchmaking introductions.
Request deletion of eligible personal information.
Ask questions about how your information is handled.
We may need to verify your identity or authority before fulfilling certain requests.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as our programs, technology, and legal obligations evolve.
When changes are made, we will update the effective date on this page.
Material changes affecting how member information is collected or shared may also be communicated directly to affected members.
15. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:
Down Syndrome Love Society, Inc.
Georgia, United States
Email: downsyndromelovesociety@gmail.com
At Down Syndrome Love Society, your story belongs to you. We're here to help you make meaningful connections while respecting your privacy, independence, and choices.