Non-discrimination Policy

Soca Islands is, at its core, an organisation dedicated to bringing the world to the Caribbean through bespoke experiences from people who live in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is open to everyone; an incredibly diverse community, drawing together individuals of different cultures, values, and norms.

Soca Islands is committed to offering experiences where people from every background feel welcome and respected, no matter how far they have traveled from home. This commitment rests on two primary pillars: inclusion and respect. Our shared commitment to these principles enables each client to feel welcome no matter who they are, where they come from, how they worship, or whom they love.

We are all committed to doing everything we can to help eliminate all forms of unlawful bias, discrimination, and intolerance from our experiences. To that end, all of us, Soca Islands employees, and suppliers, agree to read and act in accordance with the following policy to strengthen our community and realize our mission of ensuring that everyone can enjoy the wonders of the Caribbean the way it was meant to be.

• Inclusion – We welcome clients of all backgrounds with authentic hospitality and open minds. Bias, prejudice, racism, and hatred have no place in our experiences. While we are required to follow all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination based on such factors as race, religion, national origin, and others listed below, we commit to do more than comply with the minimum requirements established by law.
• Respect – We are respectful of each other in our interactions and encounters. Soca Islands appreciates that local laws and cultural norms vary around the world and expects clients and suppliers to abide by local laws, and to engage with each other respectfully, even when views may not reflect their beliefs or upbringings. Soca Islands an incredibly diverse set of background experiences, beliefs, and customs. By connecting people from different backgrounds, Soca Islands encourages greater understanding and appreciation for the common characteristics shared by all human beings and undermines prejudice rooted in misconception, misinformation, or misunderstanding.

RACE, COLOUR, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR MARITAL STATUS

• Soca Islands staff and suppliers may not
  • Decline a client based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
  • Impose any different terms or conditions based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
  • Make any statement that discourages or indicates a preference for or against any guest on account of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

GENDER IDENTITY
At Soca Islands, we consider the gender of an individual to be what they identify and/or designate on their user profile.

• Soca Islands staff and suppliers may not
  • Decline a client based on gender.
  • Impose any different terms or conditions based on gender.
  • Make any statement that discourages or indicates a preference for or against any guest on account of gender.

AGE AND FANILY STATUS

• Soca Islands staff and suppliers may not:
  • Impose any different terms or conditions or decline a reservation based on the guest’s age or familial status.

DISABILITY

• Soca Islands staff and suppliers may not:
  • Decline a client based on any actual or perceived disability.
  • Impose any different terms or conditions based on the fact that the client has a disability.
  • Substitute their own judgment about whether the service meets the needs of a guest with a disability for that of the prospective client.
  • Inquire about the existence or severity of a client’s disability, or the means used to accommodate any disability. If, however, a potential client raises his or her disability, a staff member or supplier may, and should, discuss with the potential client whether the experience meets the potential guest’s needs.
  • Prohibit or limit the use of mobility devices.
  • Charge more for experiences or other fees for guests with disabilities, including pet fees when the guest has an assistance animal (such as a service or emotional­ support animal) because of the disability.
  • Make any statement that discourages or indicates a preference for or against any client on account of the fact that the client has a disability.
  • Refuse to communicate with clients through accessible means that are available, including relay operators (for people with hearing impairments) and e-mail (for people with vision impairments using screen readers).

• Soca Islands staff and suppliers may:
  • Provide factually accurate information about the accessibility features (or lack of them), allowing for clients with disabilities to assess for themselves whether the experience is appropriate to their individual needs.

PERSONAL PREFERENCES

• Soca Islands staff and suppliers may
  • Except as noted above, Soca Islands staff and suppliers may decline to provide an experience based on factors that are not prohibited by law.
  • Nothing in this policy prevents our staff or suppliers from turning down a client on the basis of a characteristic that is not protected under the civil rights laws or closely associated with a protected class. For example, a hotel or guesthouse may turn down a guest who wants to smoke in a room, or place limits on the number of guests in a room.

What happens when a staff member or supplier does not comply with our policies in this area?
If our staff or supplier improperly rejects clients on the basis of protected class, or uses language demonstrating that his or her actions were motivated by factors prohibited by this policy, Soca Islands will take steps to enforce this policy, up to and including suspension and if necessary, termination.

As Soca Islands continues to grow, we will continue to ensure that our policies and practices align with our goal to ensure that clients feel welcome and respected in all of their interactions with Soca Islands.

This policy was updated on October 23 2019.