Purpose and Scope

The Bionic Project is an education organization that provides visiting programs in schools and other educational settings. Programs may include adaptive sports demonstrations and supervised experiential activities as part of disability education.

During school-based programs, Bionic Project personnel do not assume custody of or primary supervisory responsibility for students. Students remain under the supervision of the host school or organization and its personnel.

The Bionic Project does not ordinarily operate ongoing youth sports teams or clubs, transport minor participants, provide overnight programming for minors, or provide locker room or changing-room supervision.

This policy applies to Bionic Project employees, contractors, and regular volunteers who interact with minors through Bionic programming.

This policy governs conduct undertaken on behalf of the Bionic Project. Activities undertaken independently or on behalf of another organization are subject to that organization's policies and supervision. However, the Bionic Project may take appropriate action when conduct outside Bionic programming raises a concern about an individual's suitability to work with Bionic participants.

Training and Background Screening

Bionic Project educators who work directly with minors must complete abuse-prevention training approved by the organization, such as U.S. Center for SafeSport training.

Bionic Project salaried educators who work directly with minors are required to undergo appropriate criminal background screening, including Massachusetts CORI or comparable state or national criminal-history screening where applicable. Other employees, contractors, and regular volunteers whose roles involve regular contact with minors are subject to appropriate background screening based on their role and applicable law.

Supervision and One-on-One Interactions

Host schools and organizations retain responsibility for supervising their students and maintaining appropriate adult-to-student ratios.

An authorized host adult should remain present and available during Bionic programming involving minors. Bionic personnel may not engage in isolated one-on-one interactions with minors. Any necessary one-on-one interaction must be observable and interruptible by another adult, except in an emergency.

Prohibited Conduct and Physical Contact

Bionic Project personnel may not engage in abuse, harassment, hazing, sexual misconduct, grooming behavior, or other inappropriate conduct toward a participant.

Physical contact with participants must be appropriate to the activity and may occur for legitimate instructional, safety, assistance, or demonstration purposes. Physical contact must never be sexual, abusive, punitive, or otherwise inappropriate.

Electronic and Social Media Communications

Bionic Project personnel may not engage in private or personal electronic or social-media communications with minor participants encountered through Bionic programming.

Program-related communication involving minors should ordinarily occur through a parent or guardian, school representative, or other authorized adult, or through an organization-approved communication channel.

Locker Rooms and Changing Areas

Bionic programming does not ordinarily require Bionic personnel to supervise or enter locker rooms or changing areas used by minors.

Bionic personnel may not enter such areas when minors are present except when reasonably necessary for safety or another legitimate program purpose and consistent with host-organization policies.

Transportation and Travel

Bionic Project personnel do not ordinarily transport minor participants or accompany them on overnight travel.

Bionic personnel may not transport an individual minor participant in a personal vehicle except in an emergency involving the participant's immediate health or safety.

Any future Bionic program involving transportation or overnight travel by minor participants must establish appropriate safeguards in advance consistent with this policy and applicable law.

Reporting Concerns

Bionic Project personnel must promptly report suspected abuse, misconduct, or significant violations of this policy to the Executive Director or President.

Nothing in this internal reporting requirement replaces an individual's obligation to report suspected child abuse or other conduct to law enforcement, child-protection authorities, or other agencies when required by law. When immediate safety is at risk, appropriate emergency authorities should be contacted first.

Bionic Project personnel should report concerns rather than attempt to investigate suspected abuse themselves.

Organizational Response

The Bionic Project will respond promptly to reports of suspected abuse, misconduct, or policy violations, with participant safety as the first priority.

When appropriate, the organization may restrict or suspend an individual's contact with participants while a concern is reviewed. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or participation with the Bionic Project.

The Bionic Project will cooperate with law enforcement, child-protection authorities, host institutions, and other appropriate entities and will make any external reports required by law or applicable organizational requirements.

Monitoring and Review

The Bionic Project will review this policy annually and following any significant incident or material change in programming. The organization will update its practices as necessary to remain consistent with applicable law and recognized standards for participant protection.

Questions or concerns regarding this policy may be directed to the Bionic Project Executive Director or President.

To report a concern involving a minor or a potential violation of this policy, please visit Report a Concern Involving a Minor.


Last reviewed: September 2026