Using this site
Harshadha Balasubramanian takes no responsibility for the content that is supplied or curated. We do our best to ensure that the information supplied here is correct.
About
Unlike the privacy policy on most websites, ours isn't adapted from a template, or just copied and pasted from wherever; it's been painstakingly written out by a human, who has considered what this website does, how you are most likely going to interact with it and what (if any) aspects of it impact your personal data. Crucially, it's been written so you can A. Understand it and B. It isn't so long and laborious that you might actually bother to read it all! As such, our policy doesn't use lots of fancy legal language and might contain the odd typo. it is also a work in progress; we update our policy as our understanding of the new GDPR legislation changes and as we improve our website and add or remove elements.
Overview
We respect your right to privacy and will always do our absolute best to ensure we conform to not just the laws at the time, but also our moral obligation to you. That's why we will never knowingly allow anyone to use any data about you that we hold unless legally required to do so, and we will always keep it secure and (where possible) will remove all trace of it at your request.
Normally we only hold names and email addresses you provide us, but at times we may hold other identifiable data about you, gathered with your consent, to carry out our day to day business with you. For instance, you might supply us with data as part of an enquiry, or as part of a purchase, or a booking process for a service, etc. In all instances this data is destroyed once it is no longer relevant or required, or held securely if it forms part of a service agreement with you or there is a legal requirement for us to retain. In which case we can hold data for up to seven years.
Like most websites, this site uses cookies (read more about them below) and also like most websites this site may share your IP address (read more about them below) with some online services. By continuing to use the site you agree to this. We don't do either of these things because we're evil, it's just for a modern website to work the way most people want them to work, you have to! DON'T PANIC though, for the majority of users you're not directly identifiable by these actions. Big Brother isn't watching!
Cookies
Cookies are little bits of software that are added to your computer as you use and interact with websites. They are used mostly for good: To improve your experience, sometimes for bad: Search engines, Social sites etc may use them to track what a computer (the computer, not the person) is looking at. Many like Google will use them to target you with adverts and for analytics, which results in them being able to build a profile of what you do online. You will get these cookies added to your computer when you land on certain websites, like Google, Youtube, Facebook etc. This site makes use of Cookies, mainly so we can be sure to only show you certain content once, for example popups or reminders.
Cookies can sound a bit Orwellian and "Big Brother", but mostly they're pretty harmless and unless you land on a website that requests your data and you offer it, the data they hold is mostly anonymous, they don't have your name and email address etc. You can clear out your cookies by clearing your browser history.
As we said though, this site from time to time will use cookies (never for data gathering or advertising). It is generally good practice to install a cookie manager, so that you can see what websites install what cookies, as most have them but few admit to it. It is your choice to either accept or reject the cookies and you can change your cookie settings by clicking on the widget in the bottom left hand corner of this website.
IP Address
An IP address is a unique number that identifies your computer on the internet, it is in the form of 111.222.333.444. Lots of services, like YouTube, Facebook etc, requires that websites send them your IP address before they will allow sites to display things like embedded video, or Facebook elements, and so on. European legislation consider IP address to be personal data. In reality your IP address isn't personal data, as 99% of the time you can't really be identified by it, but some consider it so, so to keep ourselves in the clear we've added this bit to our privacy policy: On occasion your IP address may be shared with some service providers.
Emails
Emails are normally kept until our inbox is over-flowing and we have a clear out and delete or archive all the old ones. We never use addresses obtained from emails for anything other than responding to the emails you send us. We don't harvest these emails for other purposes. Once we clear out our inbox and delete old emails from you, your details are gone.
Accessibility Statement
General
I strive to ensure that my website is accessible to people with disabilities. We have invested a significant amount of resources to help ensure that this website is made easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities, with the strong belief that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort and independence.
WCAG 2.1
I try to improve my websites accessibility in line with Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
I am very open and if you have any access issues please email me and I will endeavour to (a) sort out the issue or (b) if required we can try and provide the content using a different method.
Screen Readers
We monitor our site using automated audit programs such as Google Chrome, Lighthouse and WAVE.
But I believe that the true test of any sites accessibility is assessed by the people who use the site. I regularly have the website checked out with assistive technologies and specifically screen readers. I also check the website using Apple built in screen reader and Google Chrome Browser. I feel that the combination of Chrome and App is at the moment the best combination for screen reading.
Current Audit
The site was last audited on Friday the 6th January 2021.
The site scored 100% on Lighthouse for Accessibility.
The WAVE report generated 25 minor errors and 1 contrast error which are being looked into
The site has been used with a JAWS and Apple screen reader and the users were able to navigate the site and accomplish a number of general and specific tasks.
A full report is available on request.
Disclaimer
We continue in our efforts to constantly improve the accessibility of this site and services in the belief that it is our collective moral obligation to allow seamless, accessible and unhindered use for all regardless of ability or disability.
Despite our efforts to make all pages and content accessible, some content may not have yet been fully adapted to the strictest accessibility standards. This may be a result of not having found or identified the most appropriate technological solution.
Here For You
If you are experiencing difficulty with any content on this website or require assistance with any part of our site, please contact us during normal business hours as detailed below and we will be happy to assist.
Contact Us
If you wish to report an accessibility issue, have any questions or need assistance, please email me.
Data Protection Officer
If you have any questions about our privacy policy and your data, or would like to know what data we hold in relation to yourself you can contact us using the details on our regular contact page making the subject of any emails “FAO: Data Protection Officer”. We will then forward your email to our DPO who will respond accordingly.
In most circumstances, I will respond within 30 days with the data requested.
If we suspect any abuses of this requirement (multiply requests in a short space of time etc.), I reserve the right to refuse.
For most requests to be processed, I will need you to provide proof as to who you are and that you have a lawful right to access the data being requested.