MDA Chats is a service of the Muscular Dystrophy Association website. The focus of MDA's chats is to encourage adults and children affected by neuromuscular diseases and their families, friends and caregivers to share points-of-view, experiences and similar interests in an interactive setting. All MDAchat participants will be granted access via a password registration. MDAchat groups will have assigned schedules. Such scheduling helps to ensure participants with common interests will be online at set times and allows everyone to plan accordingly.

Chat users are entirely responsible and liable for all activities conducted, including the consequences of their own conduct through any association resulting from entering and/or using MDA's chats. MDA Chats discourages participating users from giving personal identifying information. MDA Chats is not liable for situations encountered as a result of any user release of personal information online or offline. MDA does not provide lists of users or release any personal user information to solicitors for distribution without prior approval. Any message posted or emailed to MDA is public, and MDA may use such messages in the furtherance of its corporate purpose, including (but not limited to) compiling databases and developing professional materials, testimonial materials and responses to inquiries.

MDA Chats requires users to exercise courtesy, self-restraint and respect for other people and their points-of-view. MDA will not tolerate disruptive conduct, expressed hatred of any form, harassment or abuse, threats of any kind to people and/or property, and/or obscene or sexually explicit material in conversation, topics or nicknames. Within the context of the MDA website disclaimer, MDA reserves the right to establish MDA Chats management, operations, content and participation policies for all online sessions and the right to take whatever action is required to resolve conflict, inappropriate behavior or any matter associated with MDA Chats based on its sole judgment and decision. Such action may include temporary or permanent removal and/or ban from MDA Chats.

All activities, events and discussions on MDA Chats must conform to applicable local, state and federal laws. For any action that is defined as a "criminal offense," such as stalking, for example, MDA Chats will release information to proper authorities, honor all court subpoenas and otherwise cooperate with all legal investigations.

MDA Chats encourages users to notify the MDA Chats administrator if violations of MDA Chats User Policy are encountered. Please email this information as soon as possible to mdachat@mdausa.org, and be as specific as possible.

When you enter MDA Chats, you indicate your understanding, agreement and willingness to abide by the MDA Chats User Policy and with the MDA website disclaimer. Also, you release MDA from all liability related to your entering and/or using MDA Chats.