Louisiana Association for the Blind team member receives CLIPP™ Certification
(SHREVEPORT, LA) – The Living In Place Institute™ is pleased to announce the successful completion of another Certified Living In Place Professional™ (CLIPP™) class. This class, approved for continuing education by International Interior Design Association, Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.), National Kitchen & Bath Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Society of Home Inspectors, and others creates interprofessional networks of experts working to make all homes safer.
Jennifer Smith is a member of the rehabilitative services team at L.A.B.’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Center and recently received her CLIPP™ certification. Smith is a licensed, certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA); a position that has traditionally provided home modifications so that persons with low vision and other disabilities can “Age in Place,” and live safely and independently in their own homes. This training enables professionals, like Smith to assist in making all homes accessible, comfortable, and safe for everyone regardless of ability.
To obtain the CLIPP™ credential, Smith had to complete extensive coursework and sit for an exam. This advanced training will enable her as a licensed COTA to offer unique solutions for issues of home accessibility and safety. Smith is the first and only person in the State of Louisiana who has obtained this certification.
“It was an honor and pleasure to welcome Smith as one of the nationally respected professionals who participated in the recent CLIPP™ class,” says Erik Listou and Louie Delaware, Co-Founders of the Living In Place Institute. “Like many other housing professionals across the nation, Smith shares a concern for home accessibility and safety. Most homes were built with no attention to accessibility and safety risks that increase home accidents. Smith is now one of the experts leading our communities, and the nation, taking responsibility to guide all homeowners to ensure the safest and most accessible homes. Only CLIPP™ trained professionals have access to an electronic checklist (Home Accessibility and Safety Assessment Checklist™) designed to thoroughly and quickly identify and make recommendations for home modifications and products that help everyone, regardless of their age or needs.”
Established in 1927, Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.) is a private, non-profit community service organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are visually impaired through training, services and employment. As a part of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), L.A.B. participates in the nation’s AbilityOne Program, providing recycled content copy paper and 3M™ Safety-Walk™ nonskid material to the federal government, made by Americans with visual or severe disabilities.