Aging Is Not Synonymous with Accessibility – Why You Should Be LIPI Certified (CLIPP)

What Is LIPI

 

Youth often provides us with the luxury and pleasure of unlimited mobility. So often we find ourselves feeling invincible and take our everyday movements for granted. But what happens when you’re paralyzed from a car accident? Or temporarily placed in a wheelchair after surgery? How does life continue? These are the questions the Living In Place Institute – LIPI has answered.  

You’ve seen the headlines, “Designing a home for aging in place”, “Aging in place renovations”, “How to build a home for those aging in place”. However, accessibility and mobility are not a conversation of aging but rather a discussion on disability and human-centered design. 

The Living In Place Institute strives to educate designers & architects on how to make a home accessible, comfortable, and safe. Their program, CLIPP, discusses the ideals of universal design, aging in place, and accessibility. 

 

CLIPP Not CAPS

By now you may have heard of “Certified Aging In Place Specialists” CAPS. This program provides an understanding of how to design a home for the older generation. While some may question why they need the CLIPP certification if CAPS exists, they are missing the bigger picture. 

 Assuming knowing how to build a home for the elderly is all-encompassing is ignoring a large audience of potential clients. Louie Delaware & Erik Listou, the founders of LIPI, achieve the goal every User Experience Designer sets out to achieve – error prevention. 

HOW LOUIE DELAWARE AND THE LIVING IN PLACE INSTITUTE IS BETTERING THE HOME

 In the world of UX design, the goal is to meet the user’s needs, create a simple to use system, and prevent errors from ever occurring. Delaware & Listou understand that Human-Centered Design places the emphasis on the user’s behavior. Their classes train designers & architects on how to prevent disabled clients from experiencing any obstacles (errors). 

 

How Technology Helps the Disabled

Technology can play a huge role in making a home for the disabled. Sensors, voice control, and automated devices all contribute to a more comfortable environment for those with limited accessibility. Now, the wheelchaired bound no longer need to worry about reaching a light switch, opening a door, or even starting their microwave. Today’s technology and upgrades can customize any home to meet anyone’s needs. 

Technology also ensures safety. Automated home systems allow the injured or disabled to know when someone is at the door, if someone has entered the home, if an appliance is left on, and give them control right at their fingertips. Something as simple as adjusting the bathwater from scalding hot to room temperature could be a struggle for some and a dangerous situation. Thanks to smart technology, this is no longer a fear.

 The Living In place Institute recognizes technology can be iffy and installation may be hard. However, if installed by a professional these automated systems can change someone’s life for the better.

 In order to gain a full understanding of what it means to be LIPI approved, you will need to take the CLIPP training or receive the NKBA badge. 

Written By: Megan Doris – Brand Manager