Florida Regulations 6A-25.015: Building Modifications
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 6A-25.019
(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. History-New 5-14-12.
(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. History-New 5-14-12.