Last updated: September 2024
Waiver of Liability
User hereby agrees that Main Street shall not be liable for injury to or loss of or damage to any property of User, User’s employees, or invitees, or any other person in or about the Access and Use Space, nor shall Main Street be liable for injury to the person of User, User’s employees, agents, contractor or invitees, whether such damage or injury is caused by or results from any cause whatsoever. User, as a material part of the consideration to Main Street hereunder, hereby assumes all risk of damage to property of User or injury to persons, in, upon or about the Access and Use Space arising from any cause, including Main Street’s negligence or the negligence of its agents, partners or employees, and User hereby waives all claims in respect thereof against Main Street, its agents, partners and employees.
Code of Conduct
Main Street is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment to all. To safeguard well-being and comfort, all residents, members, support personnel, volunteers, staff and guests are asked to behave appropriately at all times while on Main Street premises (building and grounds) and when participating in or leading Main Street programs and events. Expected behavior includes:
- Acting responsibly, kindly, courteously and honestly and respecting the rights, dignity and worth of others
- Demonstrating self-control, tolerance and cooperation
- Abiding by Main Street policies, rules and regulations – This includes but is not limited to following proper safety precautions and practices and avoiding damage to or loss of any Main Street property.
- No fighting, no harassment, no bullying (including physical and verbal abuse) or any menacing behavior toward any other person
- No smoking in any Main Street community space or apartment
All are encouraged to immediately report any observed breaches of this Code of Conduct to Main Street Management. Main Street will use a progressive discipline process in addressing any disorderly behavior up to and including suspension or termination of Main Street membership privileges. While an incident is being investigated, the membership or privileges of an individual(s) suspected of violating the Code may be suspended pending a final decision.
Bring Your Own Independence
Main Street’s philosophy of inclusion and social integration is based on the fundamental precept of “Bring Your Own Independence”. Members participating in Main Street classes, programs and events are responsible for doing so independently, either using their own natural abilities and independence skills or by bringing the supports they need (staff, friends, family) to attend with them. Main Street encourages members to bring with them whatever and whomever they need to help them fully access and enjoy the benefits of membership–spend time with friends, participate in engaging pursuits and go places. Members are responsible for coordinating their own transportation to all programs and events, whether at Main Street or another location.
Main Street provides trained and caring personnel to facilitate programs and ensure that members are engaged and gain from a wide range of activities. We do not provide caregiving or support staff to meet individualized, customized, one-on-one needs. Main Street is not a Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) day center or a drop off facility and is not responsible for members when they are on Main Street premises or attending events. Main Street reserves the right to determine whether a member is bringing with them what they need to participate independently and to take appropriate action.
Loss of Membership Privileges Policy
Main Street reserves the right to suspend or terminate membership without refund for any reason including but not limited to the following:
- Failure to follow safety precautions and practices
- Failure to pay membership dues and fees
- Failure to follow Main Street policies and Code of Conduct
Membership Status Changes and Termination
Members must submit payment information at the time of enrollment. Payment will be collected automatically. Refunds will not be given for membership fees.
Memberships will auto renew until canceled by a member. Main Street requires written notice, by e-mail at least 30 days in advance, to change membership type or terminate membership. Annual memberships are paid in full upon enrollment and not eligible for refund.
New Main Street members may cancel their membership without penalty within the first 30 days of their membership. Cancellations must be made in writing by email.
Event Registration Fees, Cancellations and Refunds
Some special events may require an additional fee. Main Street reserves the right to cancel any event for any reason including insufficient enrollment or usage. Fees paid for cancelled offerings will be refunded in full. Main Street also reserves the right to change staffing or class instructors, as needed. Members will be notified of a cancellation.
Members are expected to notify staff in advance by email if they cannot attend a program. In the event that there is a fee associated with the program, refunds may be given depending on the amount of notice provided, as shown below:
- 2 weeks or more notice – 100% refund
- 1-13 days notice – 50% refund
- Less than 24 hours notice – no refund
Any requested refund will first be applied against any delinquent balances. All refunds will be issued via the original form of payment.
Event Waitlists
Some programs or events have a limit on how many people may attend and waitlists may be kept once the event registration is full. Members who are on the waitlist should not attend the program unless Main Street staff notifies them that they have been taken off the waitlist and given a spot in the program.
Dress, Grooming and Hygiene
Appropriate dress and grooming help create a positive social environment. Members, support personnel and guests have the responsibility to dress appropriately and to be clean and well groomed. They have the right to wear clothes of their choice as long as those clothes are appropriate for the Main Street setting, respect the rights of others and do not create disruption on the premises. Clothing may not be suggestive, revealing or indecent or bear inappropriate designs or advertising or offensive comments or language. Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
Photos, Videos, Screenshots and Recordings
By participating in our membership-based programs, community events, and activities (in-person and virtual), members agree that photos, videos, screenshots and recordings may be taken and may be used for community engagement and promotional purposes by Main Street Management. If members have any concerns or wish to opt out, members should inform Main Street Management by email upon membership registration.
Members, support personnel and guests are prohibited from taking photographs, taking screenshots, filming videos or recording audio during Main Street virtual and in-person programs without explicit permission from Main Street Management.
Technology Use – Video Technology and Camera Usage
Main Street utilizes video technology to protect all persons on its premises. Cameras are installed in open and public spaces only and not in private areas such as restrooms.
Solicitation
Main Street prohibits the solicitation, distribution and posting of materials on or at its building by any member, employee or non-employee, except with express permission from Main Street Management.
Smoking, Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol, Firearms and Weapons
The Main Street campus (building and surrounding areas) is a smoke free, drug-free environment.
Smoking, using illegal drugs, possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia, or selling/transmitting drugs, and/or tobacco products is not permitted on the premises including exterior spaces such as entryways and parking lots.
Safety and Security
The safety and security of the Main Street community is a top priority. All members, support personnel, volunteers and guests are required to show a valid picture ID upon entering the building. To enter the building, all members, support personnel, volunteers and guests are required to utilize Main Street’s virtual concierge system or to be accompanied by a staff member or resident.
An internal notification system is in place that will allow staff to communicate and respond in the event of an emergency. Main Street has taken precautions to ensure safety and security that may not be explicitly noticeable (including, but not limited to emergency call buttons, safety drills, security rounds, staff training). Members are encouraged to share in the responsibility of alerting staff to any concerns or unsafe conditions.
Main Street reserves the right to exclude or remove any person from its premises and programs for any violation of the Code of Conduct or for jeopardizing the safety and well-being of other individuals.
Health and Wellness Policy
Main Street reserves the right to deny individuals who show any signs of illness access to its premises and/or programming. Individuals with a communicable illness (including but not limited to strep throat, conjunctivitis, head lice, ringworm, chicken pox, fifth disease, H1N1, COVID, etc.) should not participate in Main Street programs.
Abuse Policy
It is the policy and covenant of Main Street Connect to do everything in our power to prevent physical, emotional or sexual abuse against children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities who patron our facility or activities sponsored by our organization. We agree to be aware of our legal responsibilities and to comply with those responsibilities and go beyond those responsibilities when necessary to act justly in the best interest of those who have been abused or those who are most vulnerable to abuse. Main Street Connect will implement orientations and training seminars for persons in management and employment who have direct or indirect contact with children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Our facility will screen persons in management and employment who have direct or indirect contact with children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and will report all instances of abuse. Management and employees will receive ongoing training as designated in our facility’s employment and training practices.
Incident and Accident Reporting
All incidents, accidents, or serious violations of the Code of Conduct and of Main Street safety and emergency procedures will be investigated and documented by Main Street staff. Reports will be maintained in the Administrative Office. Incident reports will be analyzed on a regular basis to identify systemic concerns and trends and to formulate corrective actions.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Main Street‘s membership application and orientation process require members to voluntarily provide personal background information either through the Main Street website or in person. Main Street is committed to protecting this information and to using it wisely. Main Street will not sell, share or otherwise transfer members’ personal information to anyone without member consent.
Main Street takes precautions to restrict access to member information to employees authorized to have such access for business and programming purposes only.
No data transmission over the internet is 100% secure. Main Street cannot ensure or warrant the security of such information should members communicate with Main Street via email or phone.
This policy does not apply to member usage of unaffiliated sites to which the Main Street website links.
