DARS Website Security and Privacy Policy
The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) public website is designed to provide online access to certain public information from and about the agency. This policy describes our security and privacy practices regarding information collected from visitors to the site, including what information is collected and how that information is used. This policy applies to all pages in the domain http://www.dars.state.tx.us
Capture and Use of Electronic Information
Other than information automatically collected and stored by our Web server when you visit our website, we collect no personal identifying information about you unless you choose to provide that information to us.
Personally identifiable information contained in a question or comment sent to DARS in an e-mail message or submitted in an online form is only used by DARS to respond to the request and to analyze trends. DARS may redirect the message to another government agency or government employee who is in a better position to answer the question.
Please note that e-mail messages sent to DARS are not encryption-protected via Secure Sockets Layers (SSL) by our server and may be subject to interception by common third-party Internet tools.
State agencies may not sell or release the e-mail addresses of members of the public that have been provided to communicate electronically with a government body without the affirmative consent of the affected member of the public.
Web-Based Forms
DARS uses Web-based forms to request personal information for such purposes as directing user inquiries to appropriate regional offices. We use an SSL connection to enhance the security of any information you choose to submit to us through a Web-based form. Personally identifiable information collected from Web-based forms has a specified use and DARS uses the information only for that purpose. Each Web-based form contains a link to this privacy policy.
Web Server Logs
For site management functions, our Web server collects information for our own analysis purposes. This information is not reported or used in any manner that would reveal personal identifying information, and will not be released to any outside parties unless legally required in connection with law enforcement investigations or other legal proceedings.
We use Web log analysis tools to create summary statistics, which are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest to those who visit our site, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. The following information is collected for this analysis:
| Date Time | The date and time of the user/client request. |
|---|---|
| Client IP | The IP address of the user/client. |
| Client user name | The authenticated user name, if applicable. |
| Method | The action the client was trying to perform (for example, a GET method). |
| Universal Resource Identifier (URI or URL) | The resource accessed; for example, Default.htm. |
| Query string of the URL | Any query information included in a URL (query strings typically appear after a question mark character in the URL). |
| Protocol Status | The status code the server returned to the user/client. |
| User Agent | The user agent information includes the type of browser used by the user/client, its version, and the operating system it is running on. |
Updating User Information
An individual who submits information in electronic format through this website is entitled, on request, to receive and review the information that DARS collects about the individual, and to have DARS correct any errors in the information. For assistance, please contact DARS at DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us.
Use/Release of Information - Public Disclosure
DARS maintains this website as a public service and the content of our site is considered "public domain." All information collected, including server log information and information submitted on electronic forms, is subject to disclosure to others upon request according to the requirements of the Texas Public Information Act (codified at Texas Government Code, Section 552.011, Vernon's 2000) and the State Government Privacy Policies Act (codified at Texas Government Code, Section 559, Vernon's 2001). The identity of members of the public who communicate with state agencies through the Internet is confidential under Texas law.
For Additional Information
Additional information regarding privacy and security policies is provided in the Privacy and Security Policy Guidelines provided by the Texas Department of Information Resources at http://www.dir.state.tx.us/standards/srrpub11-privacy-policy.htm. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission also provides information for educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal information privacy at http://www.ftc.gov/privacy.
If you have questions or comments about DARS’ privacy and security policy, please send e-mail to DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us or call the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services at
1-800-628-5115.