Effective Date: November 5, 2025
 Last Updated: November 5, 2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how WRTP | BIG STEP (“WRTP”, “we”, “our”, “us”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at https://wrtp.org/ (“Site”). It describes what cookies are, the categories of cookies we use, how we use them, and how you can control your cookie preferences.

Because we serve users in the United States, the European Economic Area (EEA)/UK, and other jurisdictions, this Cookie Policy is intended to comply with:

  • GDPR (EU/UK)
  • UK ePrivacy Regulations
  • CCPA/CPRA (California)
  • Other applicable U.S. state privacy laws
  • TrustArc Cookie Consent Management requirements

This Policy works in conjunction with our Privacy Policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow websites to function efficiently and provide useful information to website operators.

Cookies can be:

  • Session cookies: deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent cookies: stored until they expire or are manually removed
  • First-party cookies: set directly by WRTP
  • Third-party cookies: set by trusted service providers (e.g., analytics, embedded tools)

Under GDPR, many cookies constitute personal data.

3. How We Use Cookies

WRTP uses cookies and similar tracking technologies for the following purposes:

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (No Consent Required)

These cookies are essential for the Site to function and cannot be disabled. They:

  • Enable core features (page loading, security, navigation, accessibility)
  • Support form submissions
  • Manage your TrustArc cookie-consent preferences
  • Ensure the Site remains operational and secure

Because they do not track you for marketing or profiling, consent is not required.

3.2 Analytics & Performance Cookies (Consent Required)

These cookies help us understand:

  • How users navigate the Site
  • Which pages are most visited
  • How users engage with content
  • Technical performance and error logs

They are disabled by default under GDPR and only activate if you opt in through TrustArc.

3.3 Functional Cookies (Consent Required if Not Essential)

These cookies enhance your experience by remembering choices or enabling optional features.

Examples may include:

  • Language or region preferences
  • User interface enhancements
  • Tools that personalize site content

If functional cookies are not strictly necessary, they require prior consent for EU/UK users.

3.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies (Consent Required)

WRTP does not currently use advertising or behavioral-targeting cookies.
 If this changes in the future:

  • You will be informed
  • Cookies will only activate after explicit opt-in
  • This Policy will be updated accordingly
  • TrustArc will show a dedicated toggle for marketing cookies

4. TrustArc Cookie Consent Manager

WRTP uses TrustArc, a third-party consent management platform (CMP), to ensure compliance with GDPR, CPRA, and global privacy standards.

TrustArc provides:

  • A cookie banner on initial visit
  • Granular controls for cookie categories (necessary, analytics, functional, marketing)
  • Blocking of all non-essential cookies until you give consent
  • A preference center where you can change or withdraw consent anytime
  • Automatic logging of consent choices (required under GDPR)
  • Compliance with Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where applicable

4.1 For EU/UK Visitors

Under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive:

  • Analytics, functional, and marketing cookies require explicit opt-in consent
  • Consent must be freely given, informed, specific, and unambiguous
  • You may withdraw consent at any time through TrustArc settings
  • No non-essential cookies may load until you consent

TrustArc enforces these rules automatically.

4.2 For California (CCPA/CPRA) Visitors

California residents have the right to:

  • Opt out of “sharing” of data for cross-context behavioral advertising
  • Limit sensitive personal information
  • Understand which cookies collect personal information

TrustArc’s framework supports these rights by:

  • Allowing opt-out of marketing/tracking cookies
  • Displaying required “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” settings (if applicable)

5. Cookies We May Use

Below are common cookie categories. Exact cookies may vary depending on Site functionality, integrations, and updates.

5.1 Strictly Necessary

Examples include:

Cookie Name Provider Purpose
*_consent TrustArc Stores consent preferences
session_id WRTP Maintains session functionality
Security cookies WRTP / Host Ensures safe browsing and form submission

5.2 Analytics Cookies (Consent Required)

Examples include:

Cookie Name Provider Purpose
_ga, _gid, _gat Google Analytics (if enabled) Visitor analytics + performance metrics
Heatmap/session tools Third-party (if enabled) Behavior insights, error tracking

These load only after user opt-in.

5.3 Functional Cookies (Consent Required if Not Essential)

Examples include:

  • Preference-remembering cookies
  • Interface customization cookies
  • Tools required to display embedded content

5.4 Advertising Cookies

WRTP does not use these at present.
 If introduced, this section will be updated and new TrustArc controls will appear.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies in several ways:

6.1 Through TrustArc

Visit the Cookie Preferences link in the Site footer or reopen the cookie banner to:

  • Accept or decline categories
  • Withdraw consent
  • Modify settings at any time

All changes take effect immediately.

6.2 Through Your Browser

You may block or delete cookies using your browser settings.
 However, this may impact certain Site features or functionality.

6.3 Through Device-Level Settings

Mobile devices or operating systems may offer tracking-restriction options.

7. Cookies and Personal Data

Some cookies may process pseudonymous identifiers such as:

  • IP address
  • Browser and device type
  • Unique tracking IDs
  • Usage data

All such processing is governed by our Privacy Policy, including lawful bases under GDPR and rights under CPRA.

WRTP does not collect sensitive personal data through cookies.

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

  • New technologies
  • Updates to services
  • Changes in TrustArc functionality
  • Legal/regulatory requirements
  • Business or operational changes

Revisions will appear with an updated “Last Updated” date.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about how WRTP uses cookies or how to exercise your privacy rights:

WRTP | BIG STEP
 3841 W Wisconsin Ave
 Milwaukee, WI 53208
 Email: milwaukee@wrtp.org
 Phone: (414) 342-9787