Kerala launches India-first Elder-Friendly Office way
· India · The Hindu, Indian Express
The Kerala Senior Citizens’ Welfare department has introduced the Elder-Friendly Office Certification (EFOC) to improve accessibility in government institutions across the state. The initiative covers various facilities including hospitals, banks, transport counters, and taluk offices, with a pilot phase expected within this financial year. To be certified, offices must meet four mandatory criteria: step-free entry, ground-floor toilets, priority queues, and dedicated staff assistance. Evaluation is based on five domains including building accessibility, service delivery, staff training, communication, and participation. way will receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze status based on their scores, and the department will conduct unannounced spot checks to maintain standards.
Why it matters
Kerala has one of India's highest proportions of senior citizens, and this scheme aims to eliminate physical barriers like long queues and poor signage in public services.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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