This Code of Ethics establishes the clear guidelines for developing productive and collegial relationships so that CAABVI can successfully serve our mission:

California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CAABVI) collaborates for access to effective and equitable training, education, and services for all Californians who are blind or visually impaired.

In the spirit of supporting our vision where CAABVI creates opportunities for all Californians who are blind or visually impaired to flourish, CAABVI members have an obligation to serve the best interests of the organization loyally, diligently, transparently, and honestly. CAABVI members shall not engage in conduct that discredits the reputation, integrity, or business relationships of any other member and/or CAABVI as a group.  Through adherence to this Code of Ethics, CAABVI members will work to establish and uphold public confidence in and reliance upon its codes, principles, and practices.

CAABVI Members agree to:

• Promote appropriate standards of professional behavior.

• Comply with laws, by-laws, and regulations governing our industry and organization.

• Recognize and respect the confidential relationships that exist between members and their employees, advisory boards, and/or clients.

• Respect the intellectual property rights of other organizations, including work products, copyrights, patents and trademarks.

  • CAABVI embraces community of agencies working for the common good that value:

    • Respect

    • Integrity

    • Engagement

    • Forward-thinking

Service and Integrity

Through the plans and actions of our individual member organizations, we create a culture of service throughout the state for Californians with blindness and low vision.

We are committed to and expect accountability from our leaders and fellow members in how we accomplish our shared-strategic and individual member goals. We adhere to high ethical and professional standards in our work and inter-agency relationships. We are fair and respectful in our interactions, and we conscientiously steward the resources entrusted to us to improve the lives of Californians with blindness and low vision.

Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure

CAABVI members agree to disclose relevant personal and/or professional relationships that may have the appearance of, or potential for, a conflict of interest between members.  CAABVI members agree to not enter into a legal or contractual relationship with a party whose interest’s conflict (or are likely to conflict) with business relationships between CAABVI members, unless that interest has been disclosed in advance to all parties involved and has been resolved.  Once disclosed, such conflicts should be mediated between the members involved and the appropriate CAABVI leadership members to resolve the situation. If such conflicts cannot be managed in a manner that avoids negative impact to the membership, CAABVI members acknowledge that the activity should not be undertaken.

Anti-harassment Statement

Harassment of any group participant and/or their representative organization is unethical behavior under the CAABVI Code of Ethics. Harassment may consist of a single intense and severe act or of multiple persistent or pervasive acts which are demeaning, abusive, or offensive, or create a hostile professional or workplace environment. Harassment may include sexual solicitation, physical advance, or verbal or non-verbal conduct that is sexual in nature; it may also include threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group; epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping based on group identity.

Discipline and Revocation

The CAABVI leadership may revoke any Membership for noncompliance with this Code of Ethics and/or the bylaws.  CAABVI leadership has the right to revoke any Membership in the event that the recipient violates the Code or engages in conduct that actively discredits or damages the CAABVI member organizations. The Board of Directors has created a set of policies and procedures for handling membership revocation or denial of membership application. These procedures shall detail the grounds for revocation/denial and the process requirements of a revocation/denial decision.