AI Use and Transparency Policy

Progressive Center for Independent Living, Inc. (PCIL)
Effective date: September 15, 2026
Last updated: September 15, 2026

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1. Our Commitment

The Progressive Center for Independent Living, Inc. (PCIL) may use artificial intelligence-assisted tools to support limited administrative, analytical, creative, and communication-related work.

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PCIL is committed to using these tools responsibly, transparently, and in ways that respect the privacy, dignity, choices, and rights of people with disabilities. Artificial intelligence may assist our staff, but it does not replace accountable human judgment, professional responsibility, or the lived experience of the people and communities we serve.

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2. How PCIL May Use AI

PCIL may use AI-assisted tools for tasks such as:

• Brainstorming and organizing ideas;

• Assisting with drafts of general communications;

• Summarizing non-confidential information;

• Reviewing writing for clarity, readability, or accessibility;

• Generating outlines, interview questions, or content ideas;

• Supporting general research that staff independently verify;

• Identifying broad trends in non-confidential or de-identified information; and

• Assisting with administrative, design, or planning tasks.

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AI-generated or AI-assisted work must be reviewed, edited, and approved by an appropriate person before it is relied upon or published.

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3. Human Review and Decision-Making

PCIL remains responsible for its decisions, communications, programs, and services regardless of whether an AI-assisted tool contributed to the work.

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PCIL does not use general-purpose AI tools to make final decisions about an individual’s:

• Eligibility for PCIL programs or services;

• Benefits or funding;

• Employment or employment application;

• Accommodation request;

• Referral or service plan; or

• Participation in a PCIL program or event.

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Decisions affecting an individual must involve appropriate human review and consideration of the relevant facts, requirements, and circumstances.

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4. Privacy and Confidentiality

PCIL personnel are not permitted to enter confidential case information or directly identifying sensitive information into general-purpose AI tools.

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Prohibited information includes:

• Social Security numbers;

• Complete payment-card or financial-account information;

• Passwords or account credentials;

• Medical records or detailed case notes;

• Confidential personnel or employment records; and

• Identifiable information about a person’s disability, health, benefits, finances, accommodations, or participation in PCIL programs.

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When AI tools are used for authorized work, personnel should limit the information provided to what is reasonably necessary and remove or replace identifying details whenever practical.

PCIL may authorize a different use only after reviewing the specific tool, purpose, information involved, and applicable privacy, security, contractual, and legal requirements. PCIL does not intentionally use identifiable sensitive program information to train a publicly available AI model.

Additional information is available in PCIL’s Privacy Policy.

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5. Accuracy and Responsible Communication

Artificial intelligence can produce inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, biased, or misleading information. PCIL personnel are responsible for reviewing AI-assisted work and verifying important facts through reliable sources.

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AI-assisted content must not:

• Misrepresent a person’s words, experiences, or opinions;

• Invent a quotation, testimonial, consumer story, event, program, or organizational accomplishment;

• Be presented as professional legal, medical, financial, or benefits advice without appropriate qualified review;

• Discriminate against or demean an individual or group;

• Reinforce stereotypes about disability or other personal characteristics; or

• Mislead the public about how PCIL provides its programs and services.

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PCIL will not present an AI-generated person, testimonial, photograph, video, or voice as an actual PCIL consumer, employee, community member, or event participant.

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6. Disability Representation and Accessibility

PCIL recognizes that AI systems may reproduce stereotypes, inaccessible language, or biased assumptions about people with disabilities. AI-assisted material must be reviewed for respectful, person-directed, and inclusive communication.

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AI tools may assist with accessibility-related tasks, but automated results do not replace human accessibility review. When appropriate, PCIL will review AI-assisted content for considerations such as plain language, alternative text, captions, transcripts, color contrast, heading structure, and compatibility with assistive technology.

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Feedback from people with disabilities remains an important part of PCIL’s accessibility and communication practices.

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7. Transparency About AI-Assisted Content

PCIL may use AI as one of several tools involved in drafting, editing, research, planning, or design. Routine assistance—such as brainstorming, proofreading, formatting, or improving readability—may not be individually labeled.

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PCIL will consider disclosure when AI plays a significant role in creating realistic images, audio, video, quotations, research findings, individualized recommendations, or other material where a reasonable person could otherwise misunderstand its origin or authenticity.

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Regardless of whether routine AI assistance is disclosed, a PCIL staff member or authorized representative remains responsible for reviewing and approving the final work.

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8. Third-Party AI Services

AI tools are operated by third-party providers that maintain their own terms, privacy practices, security controls, and data-retention policies. PCIL considers the nature of the task and information involved when selecting and using these services.

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The use of an AI tool does not authorize personnel to disregard PCIL’s confidentiality, privacy, security, records, copyright, accessibility, or communication responsibilities.

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9. Staff and Contractor Responsibilities

PCIL employees, contractors, volunteers, and other authorized representatives who use AI for PCIL-related work are expected to:

• Follow this Policy and other applicable PCIL requirements;

• Protect confidential, identifying, and sensitive information;

• Review and verify AI-assisted output;

• Correct inaccurate, biased, inaccessible, or misleading material;

• Respect copyright, licensing, confidentiality, and consent requirements;

• Obtain appropriate approval before publishing or relying on material; and

• Report a suspected privacy, security, accuracy, or misuse concern promptly.

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AI tools must not be used to impersonate another person, conceal misconduct, fabricate records, or avoid an individual’s professional responsibilities.

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10. Questions or Concerns

Questions or concerns about PCIL’s use of artificial intelligence may be directed to:

Email: info@pcil.org

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Mercer Office
3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 40
Hamilton, NJ 08619
Telephone: (609) 581-4500

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Hunterdon Office
1220 State Highway 31, Suite 14
Lebanon, NJ 08833
Telephone: (908) 782-1055

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11. Changes to This Policy

PCIL may update this Policy as its practices, technology, services, or legal obligations change. Updates will be published with a revised effective or last-updated date. PCIL will not rely solely on a retroactive policy change to authorize a materially different use of previously collected sensitive personal information when additional notice or consent is required.