Inspecting for accessibility helps more people find the home that they really need.
With Americans living longer and healthier lives, many older men and women prefer to stay in their own home instead of moving with family or opting for retirement residences. Additionally, Americans with disabilities need certain home improvements to make living at home more accessible.
Unfortunately, the idea is not without its problems. That’s where CLIPP inspections help. As a certified CLIPP inspector, you could expand your business and help a very worthy cause in the process.
What is CLIPP and Why is it Important?
CLIPP™ is a Certified Living in Place Professional. A concept introduced by the Living in Place Institute, its sole purpose is to increase awareness and help improve accessibility in all homes for current or future residents, no matter their age or level of ability.
CLIPP™ inspections provide information about whether a home meets the Living in Place best practices. Instead of only inspecting for defects as your current Standards of Practice define them, you’d identify existing accessibility problems and offer solutions, and also inspect for existing compliance.
Living in Place Institute CLIPP™ Class
To help inspectors and other professionals in the industry learn what it takes to be a CLIPP™ expert, the Living in Place Institute has developed the Certified Living In Place Professional™(CLIPP™) class. Coursework, according to the Institute, includes:
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- Understanding age and its effect on health and cognitive issues
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- Communicating with inspection clients
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- How to use the Home Accessibility and Safety Assessment Checklist (HASAC™)
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- Products and construction practices
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- Project management
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- Business assistance, including marketing, sales management and developing your business
Accessibility inspections do more than look for defects, they keep vulnerable people safer.
CLIPP™ Keeps Inspectors Educated
In addition to getting your certification and growing your business, the Institute says that becoming a certified CLIPP™ inspector satisfies some NAHI continuing education requirements. So while you earn your CE credits like you always do, you’ll also gain a valuable industry certification that sets you apart from other inspectors.
The Living in Place Institute wants to help inspectors and others in the industry stay on the cutting edge. That’s why certified members of the program receive educational updates as they become available. There’s also related course material through the Institute, both online and available in a classroom setting.
Institute Guidelines Differ from the ADA
Accessibility isn’t a new idea. The American’s with Disabilities Act set forth requirements that affect public buildings and spaces where accessibility is an issue. But most homes have been altogether something different, as those guidelines don’t apply to private residences.
The Living in Place Institute hopes to expand the idea of accessibility to more residences, which will allow aging people and those with disabilities more options, particularly the option of living their own home. According to ASHI Reporter, this training isn’t just worth it, it’s a higher and better standard than anything else available.
At its broadest interpretation, at least right now, the Institute envisions a real estate market where accessible homes are a true niche. That way, home buyers could have a much larger pool of safe, appropriate and comfortable homes from which to choose, instead of only one or two, or even none at all.
If you’re an inspector interested in learning more about CLIPP™ or getting started with training during the next available class, you can email the Living in Place Institute, or call them directly at 1-888-467-3220.
Training as an accessibility inspector builds on your career as a certified home inspector. If you’re still on the fence about making a career switch, get a free course demo and see why ICA School is the right choice for home inspector training. 
