Sec. 10.09.56.18. Covered Services — Environmental Accessibility Adaptations

A. Environmental accessibility adaptations are those physical adaptations to the participant's home, which are reasonable and medically necessary to:

(1) Prevent the participant's institutionalization;

(2) Assure:

(a) The participant's health, welfare, and safety; and

(b) A safe, therapeutic environment;

(3) Prevent the participant's self-injurious behavior; and

(4) Enable the participant to function with greater independence in the home.

B. Environmental accessibility adaptations include:

(1) Alarms or locks on doors, windows, or fences;

(2) Protective padding on walls or floors;

(3) Plexiglass on windows;

(4) Outside gates and fences;

(5) Brackets for appliances;

(6) Raised electrical switches and sockets;

(7) Safety screen doors; and

(8) Individual tracking devices.

C. The environmental accessibility adaptations shall be preauthorized in the participant's plan of care and by the State Department of Education.

D. All construction shall:

(1) Be provided in accordance with applicable State or local building codes; and

(2) Pass the required inspections.

E. Window locks may only be used if there is no other way to prevent a participant's rapid movement into a potentially dangerous situation.

F. With the added safety precautions, it shall be assured that the house has enough exits, so there are not fire or safety concerns.

G. Several rooms may be secured, but not the whole house.

H. As appropriate, the adaptations shall be approved by the fire department or fire marshal as meeting the fire safety requirements.

I. This service is not covered for facilities where residential habilitation services are delivered.

J. Excluded are those adaptations or improvements to the home, such as carpeting, roof repair, and central air conditioning, which:

(1) Are of general utility;

(2) Are not of direct medical or remedial benefit to the participant; or

(3) Add to the home's total square footage.