Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1)
Building modifications consist of alterations to homes, condominiums,
apartments, and worksite facilities for the purpose of accessibility for
individuals with disabilities. The division will provide modifications that
provide an accessible environment, consistent with the Florida Accessibility
Code for Building Construction, and comply with local and state building
codes.
(2) Residential
Architectural Modifications. See Form DVR-002, Home Modification Consumer
Acknowledgement, as incorporated by reference in Rule
6A-25.019, F.A.C.
(a) The division may provide a limited range
of residential architectural modifications if:
1. The modifications are required to achieve
the employment outcome of an approved Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE);
and,
2. The modifications can be
made with conformance to all applicable building codes.
(b) The division will provide modification
services for accessibility to a bathroom and a bedroom. Modifications to other
areas such as living rooms are limited to doorways unless further modification
is justified by the individual's employment needs.
(c) The division may provide modifications to
the kitchen if the individual is the primary person who prepares
food.
(d) The division will provide
a single access route through the most ideal location. If a second route is
required for emergencies, an additional access route will be provided or an
egress window, whichever is more appropriate. Guidelines for an alternate route
include situations in which:
1. No other
resident or person typically present is available or physically capable of
assisting or carrying the individual to safety, or
2. The individual is required to access the
primary route through the kitchen or like area.
(e) Space contained within the existing roof
line and foundation of the home will be considered for accessibility. Additions
may be recommended only if the existing structure cannot be modified
cost-effectively.
1. If the required
accessibility can be provided within the existing roofline, but the
individual/owner wants an addition, the owner must prepare drawings to scale
and specifications for review by the rehabilitation engineer.
2. The division may consider the addition
only if the cost is equal to or less than modifying the original space and the
accessibility meets the individual's needs. If the cost is more than
modification of the original space, and the individual wishes to pay the
difference to have the addition, the difference in cost must be paid to the
contractor prior to the division's payment for the project.
(f) The division will not pay for any portion
of new construction of stand-alone buildings.
(g) The division will not purchase or modify
existing swimming pools, heated pools, jacuzzis, whirlpool tubs or saunas. If a
doctor prescribes therapy that requires a pool, jacuzzi, whirlpool or sauna,
the counselor will advise the individual in locating an accessible facility
which provides the prescribed therapy under the supervision of a qualified
therapist or an alternative mode of therapy.
(h) Portable rehabilitation technology will
be provided for accessibility to rental or leased property, whenever possible.
Limited structural modifications for the purposes of widening doorways may be
provided when the counselor and the rehabilitation engineer agree the
modifications are justified by the individual's employment and living
needs.
(i) The division will not
provide modifications to a building that does not meet local and state building
codes.
(j) Prior to the
authorization of any building modifications, the counselor and individual will
obtain all necessary approvals from the property owner, homeowner's
associations, and any persons with an interest in such variances for the
property.
(3) Worksite
Modifications.
(a) Worksite modifications are
accommodations to work areas, tools, processes and appliances to increase the
accessibility and function at the place of employment.
(b) The counselor will address any concerns
of the individual prior to making a referral to the rehabilitation engineer.
Any identified concerns must be included in the referral information. The
counselor will make the employer aware of the scope of the worksite assessment
by the rehabilitation engineer.
(c)
If the rehabilitation engineer recommends adaptive equipment, products, or
worksite accommodations, the counselor may request that the employer provide
the products or modifications as a comparable benefit.
(d) The counselor or employer may utilize the
rehabilitation engineer to coordinate installation of employer-provided
assistive technology.
Rulemaking Authority
413.22,
1001.02 FS. Law Implemented
413.24,
413.28,
413.30
FS.
New 5-14-12.