Terms and Conditions - Connect Across Tacoma

Connect Across Tacoma

Effective Date: September 4, 2026
Last Updated: September 4, 2026

How These Terms Apply

These Terms and Conditions consist of the Connect Across Tacoma-Specific Terms in Part I and the BBR Master Terms in Part II. Both parts apply when you access, apply for, register for, receive, or participate in a Connect Across Tacoma offering. The BBR Master Terms also apply to other BBR Properties that display or link to them.

By checking a box stating “I have read and agree to all Terms and Conditions,” creating an account, submitting an application, accepting equipment or benefits, or participating in an applicable offering, you agree to these Terms and the applicable Privacy Policy.

If the Connect Across Tacoma-Specific Terms conflict with the BBR Master Terms, the Connect Across Tacoma-Specific Terms control for that matter. Additional written terms presented for a particular cohort, benefit, device, subsidy, stipend, field activity, or partner-delivered service may also apply and will control for that offering to the extent of a conflict.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the applicable services or benefits.

Part I: Connect Across Tacoma-Specific Terms

1. About Connect Across Tacoma

Connect Across Tacoma is a BBR-led project delivered with independent community, education, government, funding, workforce, and technology partners. In these Terms, BBR Academy is referred to as “BBR,” “we,” “our,” or “us.”

Connect Across Tacoma may provide or coordinate workforce development, Digital Stewards training, community technology activities, device access, connectivity assistance, field experiences, referrals, stipends, and other digital opportunity services.

This description is illustrative. It does not obligate BBR or any partner to provide or continue a particular program, payment, device, subsidy, service, cohort, or opportunity.

Training offered through BBR Academy is governed by the separate BBR Academy-Specific Terms in addition to the BBR Master Terms.

2. Eligibility and Applications

Offerings may be limited by funding, geography, residency, age, income, availability, cohort capacity, inventory, partner requirements, or other program criteria.

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information. BBR may verify information, request supporting documents, prioritize applicants, maintain a waiting list, or deny or discontinue participation when information is inaccurate, incomplete, unverifiable, or does not satisfy applicable requirements.

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance, selection, a device, internet support, a stipend, training, employment, certification, referral, or any other benefit.

3. Minors

Connect Across Tacoma websites may include information and opportunities intended for youth. Individuals under 13 may view publicly available website content but may not independently create an account, submit an application, register for a program, or provide Personal Information through a BBR website.

A parent or legal guardian must complete or authorize those activities on behalf of a child under 13. Individuals under 18 may be required to obtain parent or guardian authorization before registering, participating, accepting equipment or benefits, joining a field activity, or accepting legally binding terms.

A parent or legal guardian who registers a minor or authorizes participation accepts the applicable Terms and program requirements on the minor’s behalf.

4. Digital Stewards and Workforce Activities

A Digital Stewards cohort or other workforce offering may include instruction, assignments, community engagement, research, outreach, technical activities, field experiences, and independent study.

Participants must satisfy the attendance, conduct, documentation, safety, progress, and completion requirements stated for the applicable offering. BBR may modify assignments, schedules, instructors, activities, delivery methods, or completion requirements when reasonably necessary.

Any certificate of completion confirms only the accomplishment stated on the certificate. It is not a professional license or independent technical certification unless expressly identified as such.

5. Participant Conduct and Safety

Participants must follow applicable laws, site rules, safety instructions, codes of conduct, confidentiality requirements, and acceptable-use policies.

BBR may restrict an activity or remove a participant when conduct creates a safety, legal, security, operational, or reputational risk.

You may not:

Perform network, cybersecurity, construction, installation, electrical, climbing, tool-based, or technical work outside the authorization and supervision provided;
Enter a worksite, rooftop, equipment room, residence, network area, or other restricted location without permission;
Access, copy, alter, retain, or disclose systems, credentials, or data beyond the authorization provided;
Use project equipment, vehicles, tools, accounts, or materials for an unauthorized purpose;
Harass, threaten, discriminate against, exploit, impersonate, defame, or defraud another person or organization; or
Falsify attendance, eligibility, hours, assignments, expenses, outcomes, or other program records.

6. Stipends and Other Payments

A stipend, reimbursement, incentive, fellowship payment, or other payment is available only when stated in the applicable program documents and may depend on funding, eligibility, attendance, progress, completed activities, documentation, and other requirements.

Published examples or amounts from a prior cohort do not guarantee that the same amount, schedule, or payment will be available in another cohort.

A stipend or program payment does not create an employment or contractor relationship unless a separate written employment or contractor agreement expressly establishes one. Classification and tax treatment are determined by the applicable documents and law. Recipients are responsible for obtaining their own tax advice.

BBR may withhold, reduce, delay, or deny a payment when program requirements are not satisfied, documentation is incomplete, funding is unavailable, or payment is otherwise not permitted, subject to any controlling written agreement or law.

7. Devices and Connectivity Benefits

Devices, internet subsidies, installations, software, and other connectivity benefits are subject to eligibility, inventory, funding, geographic coverage, technical feasibility, provider availability, and separate program terms.

Approval for one benefit does not guarantee approval for another. BBR may determine the available device, provider, service level, subsidy amount, delivery method, installation schedule, and benefit duration.

Additional requirements for transferred equipment, loaned equipment, and connectivity assistance appear in the BBR Master Terms below.

8. Program Changes and Partner-Delivered Services

BBR may add, modify, postpone, relocate, combine, move online, substitute, suspend, or discontinue an offering or benefit when reasonably necessary because of funding, capacity, safety, staffing, inventory, partner availability, technical conditions, or other program circumstances.

Services may be performed or controlled by independent partners, including internet providers, device suppliers, training organizations, worksites, employers, schools, funders, and public agencies. Their separate terms, decisions, schedules, eligibility requirements, and privacy practices may apply.

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations presented by Connect Across Tacoma or BBR do not represent the views of a funder, government agency, educational institution, or community partner unless expressly stated by that organization.

9. Outcome Disclaimers

Participation does not guarantee completion, certification, continued funding, a device, ongoing internet service, an internship, employment, wages, admission to another program, or any other particular result.

Employment examples, career descriptions, participant stories, program targets, and outcome figures are illustrative. Employer, apprenticeship, funding, certification, and partner decisions are made independently and may change.

Part II: BBR Master Terms

10. BBR Properties and Services

BBR owns or operates various websites, programs, projects, brands, platforms, research activities, and related services.

These BBR Master Terms apply to all websites, programs, projects, platforms, and services owned or operated by BBR. Individual BBR Properties may provide additional terms that also apply.

BBR’s work may include research, education, workforce development, technical assistance, community initiatives, digital opportunity services, technology development, equipment distribution, subsidies, events, and partner-supported programs. This description is illustrative and does not obligate BBR to provide or continue any particular activity.

A BBR Property may be subject to additional terms. Use of one BBR Property does not automatically create eligibility for or access to another.

11. Program and Benefit Eligibility

Programs, services, devices, subsidies, financial support, stipends, referrals, and other benefits may be limited by available funding, inventory, geography, age, income, residency, partner requirements, program capacity, or other eligibility criteria.

Submission of an application does not guarantee selection or receipt of a service, device, payment, subsidy, referral, or other benefit.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, benefits have no cash value, are non-transferable, and may not be sold, exchanged, pledged, or assigned.

BBR may:

Establish or modify reasonable eligibility requirements;
Require supporting documentation;
Verify information with appropriate sources;
Prioritize applicants according to program objectives or funding requirements;
Maintain waiting lists;
Limit the number, value, frequency, or duration of benefits;
Deny an application that is incomplete, inaccurate, unverifiable, or ineligible; and
Discontinue or modify a benefit when funding, inventory, eligibility, or program conditions change.

12. Devices, Equipment, and Internet Support

BBR or its partners may make devices, equipment, software, connectivity assistance, or other resources available under separate program terms.

Donated or Transferred Equipment

When ownership of equipment is expressly transferred to a recipient:

The equipment may be new, used, refurbished, donated, or previously assigned;
The available brand, model, configuration, appearance, accessories, and condition are not guaranteed;
BBR does not guarantee compatibility with a particular network, application, provider, accessory, or service;
The recipient is responsible for ongoing maintenance, updates, security, data backup, repair, connectivity, and proper disposal unless a program expressly provides otherwise; and
BBR is not required to repair or replace the equipment unless required by an applicable written warranty or law.

Loaned Equipment

Unless program documents expressly state that ownership is transferred, equipment provided temporarily remains the property of BBR or the identified owner.

Recipients must:

Use loaned equipment only for its authorized purpose;
Protect it from loss, theft, misuse, and avoidable damage;
Return it when requested or when participation ends; and
Return all accessories identified in the applicable equipment agreement.

The recipient may be responsible, to the extent permitted by law, for loss, failure to return equipment, or damage beyond ordinary wear.

Internet and Connectivity Assistance

Connectivity assistance may depend on continued funding, provider availability, geographic coverage, technical feasibility, eligibility, and compliance with a provider’s terms.

BBR does not guarantee internet availability, speed, reliability, coverage, or security;
BBR does not control a provider’s equipment, customer support, billing, or network practices;
Continued eligibility, funding, subsidy amount, and subsidy duration are not guaranteed; and
Recipients are responsible for charges, upgrades, equipment, contracts, or continued service that they independently authorize beyond the support expressly provided.

13. Research, Surveys, and Program Evaluation

BBR may conduct research, collect feedback, evaluate programs, publish findings, develop technology, or collaborate with research and community partners.

Participation in a formal research study may be governed by a separate consent form, study description, agreement, or protocol. These Terms do not replace any consent required for a particular research activity.

BBR may use information for program administration, evaluation, reporting, and improvement as described in the applicable Privacy Policy, consent form, agreement, or program notice.

Research findings, prototypes, models, projections, reports, and other developmental materials may be preliminary, incomplete, subject to revision, or dependent on assumptions. Unless expressly stated in a written agreement, they are provided for informational or developmental purposes and are not professional, medical, legal, financial, engineering, or investment advice.

14. General User Conduct

You may use BBR Properties only for lawful and authorized purposes.

BBR may investigate suspected misconduct and preserve or disclose relevant information when reasonably necessary to protect its rights, enforce these Terms, address a security or safety concern, comply with law, or cooperate with an appropriate authority.

You may not:

Gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems, accounts, data, networks, or restricted areas;
Interfere with the operation, availability, integrity, or security of a BBR Property;
Introduce malicious code, harmful files, automated attacks, or destructive technology;
Scrape, harvest, data-mine, or systematically collect content or Personal Information without written authorization;
Use BBR content or participant information to develop or train an artificial-intelligence system without written permission;
Circumvent access controls or usage limitations;
Harass, threaten, discriminate against, impersonate, defame, exploit, or defraud another person or organization;
Upload or distribute unlawful, infringing, deceptive, or harmful material;
Misrepresent your identity, authority, eligibility, affiliation, or relationship with BBR;
Use a BBR Property for unauthorized commercial solicitation; or
Use BBR’s name, logos, partnerships, research, projects, or services in a manner that falsely suggests sponsorship, endorsement, certification, or approval.

15. Intellectual Property

BBR Properties and their content—including text, research, reports, data compilations, graphics, designs, logos, brands, curriculum, frameworks, recordings, photographs, assessments, laboratory exercises, software, prototypes, and downloadable materials—are owned by or licensed to BBR and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.

BBR grants authorized users a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, and revocable right to access and use applicable content solely for the purpose for which access was provided. No ownership rights are transferred to you.

Third-party names, marks, and materials remain the property of their respective owners.

Without BBR’s written permission, you may not:

Reproduce, modify, translate, publish, distribute, sell, license, or commercially exploit protected content;
Create derivative works from protected content;
Remove copyright, trademark, attribution, confidentiality, or proprietary notices;
Use BBR content to develop a competing product or service; or
Use BBR names, project names, logos, or marks in advertising, fundraising, endorsements, or promotional materials.

16. User-Submitted Materials and Feedback

You retain any rights you hold in original materials you submit.

By submitting materials through a BBR Property, you grant BBR a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, display, adapt, evaluate, and use those materials as reasonably necessary to:

Operate the applicable property, program, or service;
Review an application or submission;
Communicate and collaborate with you;
Evaluate participation or outcomes;
Maintain appropriate records;
Satisfy contractual, reporting, funding, or legal requirements;
Improve BBR programs, research, and services; and
Exercise BBR’s rights and fulfill its obligations.

You represent that you have the necessary rights and permissions to submit the materials and grant this license.

Any public use of your name, image, likeness, voice, testimonial, or identifiable work will be governed by any applicable release, consent, agreement, or other authorization.

If you voluntarily provide an idea, recommendation, correction, or other feedback, you grant BBR the unrestricted right to use that feedback without compensation or obligation to you. Do not submit feedback that you consider confidential.

17. Partnerships and Third-Party Services

BBR works with independent organizations and individuals and may link to or use third-party websites, payment processors, application systems, learning platforms, internet providers, equipment providers, funders, schools, employers, apprenticeship sponsors, research institutions, government agencies, and other services.

Your interaction with a third party may be governed by separate terms and privacy practices between you and that third party.

BBR is not responsible for the content, decisions, availability, security, privacy practices, fees, requirements, or performance of an independent third party.

Unless expressly stated in a written agreement:

A partner is independent from BBR;
A partnership does not create an agency, employment, joint-venture, fiduciary, or legal-representative relationship between BBR and the partner;
BBR cannot bind a partner, and a partner cannot bind BBR;
BBR does not control a partner’s decisions, services, systems, personnel, security, availability, or conduct; and
Reference to a partner does not guarantee eligibility, selection, service, funding, certification, placement, or endorsement.

18. Privacy and Electronic Communications

BBR’s handling of Personal Information is described in the applicable Privacy Policy and any program-specific notices or consent forms.

By providing an email address, telephone number, or other contact information, you consent to receiving transactional and administrative communications concerning applications, eligibility, registrations, payments, schedules, programs, benefits, equipment, security, and account activity.

Promotional communications will be handled in accordance with applicable law and any available unsubscribe method.

You agree that notices, agreements, disclosures, and other records may be provided electronically where permitted by law.

19. Suspension and Termination

BBR may suspend or terminate an account, application, enrollment, participation, benefit, access, credential, or service when BBR determines that:

These Terms or applicable program requirements have been violated;
A payment obligation has not been satisfied;
Information provided is materially inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading;
Eligibility requirements are not or are no longer satisfied;
Conduct creates a legal, security, safety, reputational, or operational risk;
Continued participation is disruptive or inappropriate;
Funding, inventory, staffing, partner participation, or program capacity is no longer available; or
Suspension or termination is otherwise reasonably necessary to protect BBR, its users, participants, partners, systems, property, or operations.

BBR may act with or without advance notice where legally permitted.

Suspension or termination does not eliminate obligations that arose beforehand and does not create a right to payment or a refund except as provided by an applicable written policy or law.

Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect, including provisions concerning payment obligations, intellectual property, confidentiality, disclaimers, liability, indemnification, and disputes.

20. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BBR Properties, content, programs, devices, equipment, benefits, research materials, and services are provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis.

BBR disclaims all express and implied warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, accuracy, availability, and non-infringement, to the extent those warranties may legally be disclaimed.

BBR does not warrant that:

A BBR Property will be uninterrupted, error-free, current, complete, secure, or free of harmful components;
Information, research, projections, or program materials will be accurate or suitable for a particular purpose;
A program, benefit, funding source, device, subsidy, partner, instructor, or service will remain available;
A donated or transferred device will meet a particular need or remain operational for a particular period;
A third-party service or partner will perform as expected; or
Participation will produce a particular educational, professional, financial, technological, or community outcome.

Nothing in these Terms excludes a warranty or protection that cannot legally be excluded.

21. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BBR and its owners, officers, employees, instructors, researchers, agents, contractors, affiliates, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to a BBR Property, program, service, benefit, device, subsidy, partnership, these Terms, or your participation.

This exclusion includes loss of data, revenue, profits, opportunity, employment, funding, connectivity, goodwill, or business interruption, regardless of the theory of liability and even if the possibility of such damages was known.

BBR is not liable for the independent acts, omissions, decisions, systems, products, or services of a partner or third party.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BBR’s total aggregate liability for claims arising from or related to a particular paid service will not exceed the amount actually paid to BBR by or on behalf of the claimant for that service.

For claims arising solely from free website access, a free program, a donated benefit, or a subsidized service, BBR’s liability will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

These limitations do not apply where liability cannot legally be limited or excluded.

22. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless BBR and its owners, officers, employees, instructors, researchers, agents, contractors, affiliates, and representatives from claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, losses, and reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or related to:

Your violation of these Terms or applicable law;
Your use or misuse of a BBR Property, program, service, system, laboratory, device, equipment, credentials, benefit, or materials;
Your unauthorized access to or interference with a system, account, device, network, or data;
Materials or information you submit;
Your infringement or violation of another person’s rights; or
Your acts or omissions in connection with a BBR offering.

BBR may assume control of the defense of a matter subject to indemnification. You agree to cooperate with the defense and may not settle such a matter in a way that imposes liability or obligations on BBR without BBR’s written consent.

23. Events Outside BBR’s Control

BBR is not responsible for delay, interruption, modification, relocation, inability to perform, or cancellation caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Such circumstances may include severe weather or natural disasters; fire, flood, or facility damage; public-health emergencies; utility, power, telecommunications, or internet outages; cyberattacks or system failures; labor or transportation disruptions; government actions or changes in law; civil disturbances; instructor, researcher, or staff emergencies; supply-chain or equipment shortages; loss or delay of funding; or failure, withdrawal, or unavailability of a partner, vendor, platform, facility, or provider.

BBR may take any action it considers reasonably appropriate under the circumstances, including rescheduling, changing delivery methods, substituting resources, modifying program terms, providing alternative services, issuing a credit, or applying the applicable cancellation policy.

BBR is not responsible for incidental or consequential expenses resulting from such an event.

24. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

You are encouraged to contact BBR before filing a claim so the parties may attempt to resolve the matter informally. Informal resolution is not required where immediate action, collection activity, injunctive relief, protection of intellectual property, or a response to a security or safety concern is appropriate.

Any legal action arising from or related to these Terms must be brought in a court with appropriate jurisdiction located in Pierce County, Washington, or in the applicable federal court serving Pierce County, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Nothing in this section prevents an eligible claim from being filed in small-claims court.

25. Changes to These Terms

BBR may modify these Terms at any time. Revised Terms become effective when posted unless a later effective date is stated.

Changes apply to subsequent website use, transactions, registrations, and participation. Specific written terms accepted for an existing paid offering will continue to control that offering to the extent required by the agreement or applicable law.

Your continued use of an applicable BBR Property or service after revised Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

26. General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted, and the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

BBR’s failure to enforce a provision does not waive its right to enforce that or another provision later.

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations without BBR’s written consent. BBR may assign or transfer these Terms, in whole or in part, to an affiliate, contractor, successor, purchaser, or other party without your consent where permitted by law.

These Terms, the applicable Privacy Policy, and any applicable enrollment agreement, refund policy, release, code of conduct, equipment agreement, consent form, contract, or program-specific requirements constitute the agreement concerning the applicable services and replace prior discussions or representations concerning those services.

Headings are provided for convenience and do not affect interpretation.

Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, partnership, agency, fiduciary, franchise, or joint-venture relationship between you and BBR.

Except for BBR parties expressly protected by the disclaimer, liability, and indemnification provisions, these Terms do not create rights for any third-party beneficiary.

27. Contact Information

Questions or legal notices concerning these Terms may be directed to:

Connect Across Tacoma of BBR Academy
Email: Info@BBRAcademy.org
Mailing Address: 9030 35th Avenue SW, Suite 100 #1030, Seattle, WA 98126-3821