Kerala certifies elder-friendly offices to improve access
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In Kerala, India, the Department of Senior Citizens’ Welfare launched the Elder-Friendly Office Certification (EFOC) program to improve the convenience of government offices and public institutions for elderly visitors.
The program addresses problems such as inaccessible buildings and unhelpful service by evaluating offices in five areas: building accessibility, service delivery, staff training, communication, and public participation. Building accessibility carries the most weight in the scoring, accounting for 30 percent of the total.
To earn certification, offices must meet mandatory requirements including step-free entry, ground-floor restrooms, and a dedicated queue for seniors. Offices will receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze certificates based on their scores, with Gold certificates valid for five years and requiring a score of 85 percent or higher. Bronze certificates are provisional and require a follow-up inspection to confirm. The program will begin with a pilot project selecting one office from each of Kerala’s 14 districts.
Over the next three years, the scheme will expand to include more government offices and, eventually, private institutions like hospitals and pharmacies that can participate voluntarily for a fee. Independent agencies will conduct inspections, and certified offices will be listed on a public registry and receive a digital certificate.
