Life has a way of turning corners — some expected, some that catch us unprepared. One such significant turn comes quietly, yet profoundly, when a person crosses the age of 60 in India. Overnight, they are given a new identity: “senior citizen.” With this label come government-provided benefits — tax exemptions, healthcare subsidies, travel concessions. On paper, it appears as though society is embracing its elders with care. But reality often paints a different scene.
Picture an elderly man, perhaps once a schoolteacher or a government clerk, now retired and walking slowly with a cane. He is alone, trying to cross a busy intersection in a city choked with haste — young professionals rushing past, cars honking impatiently, pavements crowded and uneven. Or imagine a frail woman, once the cornerstone of her household, now climbing stairs at a railway station with no functional lift in sight.
If the image in your mind was one of discomfort, fear, or vulnerability — then it is time to question the adequacy of the support we claim to offer our elderly as these are not isolated instances. These are silent, daily struggles endured by millions of older adults across the country. Concessions and schemes may tick policy boxes, but without accessible, inclusive public spaces, the promise of dignity in old age remains unfulfilled. As per the 2020 Population Projections Report, India had 103.8 million elderly in 2011, expected to reach 193.4 million by 2031. Most urban-rural spaces in India lack age-friendly infrastructure, leading to social exclusion and reduced mobility, thereby restraining the elderly from living with freedom and dignity.
Public infrastructure barriers
Ageing comes with various kinds of disabilities — loss of mobility, vision, hearing, dexterity, memory, and general stamina. These challenges often intensify over time, and with them, the elderly’s vulnerability to accidents and social exclusion increases. As per a HelpAge India 2022 report, more than 40% of elderly respondents felt that public places are not senior-friendly.
In public parks, for instance, uneven pathways and broken pavements pose tripping hazards, while the absence of rest stops can cause undue fatigue. Insufficient lighting at dusk and dawn creates unsafe environments, and washrooms often lack essential features such as handrails, ramps, or wide entryways. Similarly, in government offices, simple elements such as steps without alternative ramp access, slippery floors, water dispensers placed too high, and long, unmanaged queues without priority counters make navigating such environments extremely difficult for the elderly. Toilets are often inaccessible, and high service counters discourage independent interactions.
Hospitals, meant to be places of healing, ironically present another level of inaccessibility. Over 20% of India’s elderly population lives alone or with only a spouse, increasing their reliance on public health systems and independent navigation of infrastructure. Long distances between departments, lack of wheelchair-friendly pathways, and non-adjustable beds or examination tables are common. High pharmacy counters, poor lighting, and echoing interiors make visits stressful for the elderly who are already physically unwell.
In cultural spaces including theatres and community halls, the experience is equally discouraging — the absence of designated seating, steep steps with no railings, poorly-lit aisles, and lack of hearing assistive devices often deter the elderly from attending such events altogether. Even commercial centres such as shopping malls or crowded marketplaces reflect this apathy. Without accessible parking near entrances, absence of seating for rest, and overstimulating environments that can confuse those with cognitive decline, these spaces become overwhelming.
Public transport systems also pose critical concerns — inaccessible platforms, no assistance for boarding, poor signage, and overcrowding collectively make independent travel for the elderly daunting and dangerous.
The legal landscape
Despite this, the legal and policy landscape in India shows promise. Acts and initiatives such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, its supporting Rules of 2009, and the National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011 outline the government’s intent to create enabling environments. Although the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 does not focus solely on the elderly, it calls for barrier-free access in public places, transportation, and information systems — provisions that support the needs of the elderly as well. Schemes like the Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), which distributes mobility aids to BPL (below poverty line) seniors, reflect a growing policy-level recognition of these issues. The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), launched in 2015, seeks to make public infrastructure universally accessible and has the potential to catalyse real change if implemented effectively.
Further, policy think tanks such as NITI Aayog have suggested age-sensitive infrastructural measures including reserving lower floors in residential buildings, dedicated seating in public transport, accessible public toilets, and wheelchair ramps in public marketplaces. Their call for Smart Housing solutions — driven by Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things-based technologies such as fall sensors, fire detectors, and automatic stove controls — can significantly enhance safety and comfort for older persons. Complementing these efforts, the Ministry of Urban Affairs introduced the harmonised guidelines and space standards for barrier-free built environments for persons with disabilities and elderly persons (2016), offering a structured framework to design inclusive public buildings and spaces.
Most urban-rural spaces in India lack age-friendly infrastructure, leading to social exclusion and reduced mobility, thereby restraining the elderly from living with freedom and dignity. File photograph used for representational purposes only
Universal design
While such policies provide a strong foundation, ground-level implementation remains inconsistent. According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment only 11% of public buildings in India were found to be fully accessible under the Accessible India Campaign by 2022, against a target of 50%. Awareness among planners, engineers, architects, and even the public is essential to ensure inclusive development. A shift in perception is required — one that goes beyond sympathy and acknowledges accessibility as a basic right. This is where the principles of universal design find their relevance and urgency.
Universal design advocates for spaces that are inherently accessible to people of all ages and abilities, eliminating the need for adaptations or specialised features. This begins with reimagining infrastructure, services, and information to accommodate a wide spectrum of users. For the elderly, this could mean tactile guiding indicators on pavements for those with visual impairments, smooth kerbs with ramps for wheelchairs and walkers, and sturdy railings along walkways and staircases for balance and support. Drinking water units at accessible heights, equipped with easy-turn or sensor taps, can ensure independence without strain. High-contrast signage in large fonts placed at seated eye level enables easy navigation through hospitals, theatres, or government buildings. Ergonomic seating, well-lit pathways, and barrier-free toilets with non-slip flooring and grab bars complete the spectrum of necessary features. These are not luxuries; they are fundamental components of a compassionate and inclusive society.
Public parks must also evolve. The inclusion of non-slip, circular walking loops with gentle slopes reduces the risk of falls. Therapeutic and sensory gardens with aromatic plants and textured surfaces can benefit seniors with cognitive or emotional challenges. Low-resistance outdoor fitness equipment, designed for seniors, can support safe physical activity. Shaded pavilions furnished with comfortable seating can serve as vital social spaces. Adding adult gyms to parks, with low-impact equipment, also helps maintain mobility and muscle strength among the elderly.
In public hospitals, accessibility should begin at the gate. Drop-off zones must be adjacent to entrances, allowing for slow, supported entry. Interiors should use acoustic dampening materials to reduce disorienting noise. Digital queue systems with audio announcements and dedicated support staff can ease the waiting process. Anti-glare flooring, ample turning space, and clearly-marked emergency buttons near beds or seating areas are crucial to maintaining both comfort and safety. Such thoughtful design elements can vastly improve the experience of the elderly seeking medical help.
When it comes to public toilets, solutions must go beyond the basics. Installing sensor-operated doors minimises physical strain and improves hygiene. Contrasting colour schemes in interiors help users with low vision identify key features like flush handles and basins. Low-pressure, sensor-based taps and flushes accommodate those with arthritis or low hand strength. Inside larger stalls, foldable benches or support platforms can help with dressing or caregiver assistance. Additionally, using neutral-scented ventilation systems can make these spaces more tolerable for elderly users with heightened olfactory sensitivity, making the experience not only accessible but respectful and dignified.
Assistance from technology
Technology is increasingly becoming a powerful enabler for elderly empowerment, helping bridge the accessibility gap and enhance their engagement with the world around them. Under the government’s ‘Digital India for All’ initiative, inclusive innovations such as screen readers, voice-activated controls, and magnification tools are making digital services more user-friendly for senior citizens. Tools, including voice-enabled Aadhaar authentication and UPI-based payment systems with sound feedback, are ensuring that visually or motor-impaired individuals can securely access essential services with autonomy and confidence. Government-led initiatives such as Sugamya Pustakalaya — an online library for print-disabled individuals — and AI-powered apps that convert speech to text or read text aloud are further driving digital inclusivity.
Beyond digital access, technology is also playing a crucial role in promoting the physical well-being and mobility of the elderly. For instance, balance-monitoring apps can detect early signs of instability and recommend corrective exercises — critical in a country where one in three seniors experiences falls. In a 2019 survey, 61% of senior citizens said they avoid going to public places due to poor infrastructure and fear of falling. Mobility-focused apps, smart canes, and muscle stimulation devices are helping improve coordination and movement. Medication reminder apps, GPS trackers, and other smart aids are supporting independent living and safer navigation through public spaces. Collectively, these advancements not only empower the elderly to manage their health and finances but also encourage active participation in civic life with greater dignity and ease.
Thus, an inclusive approach must also address digital accessibility, which is increasingly critical in a post-pandemic world. Public services — from booking train tickets to accessing healthcare and banking — are becoming digital-first. However, elderly people are often digitally excluded due to a lack of skills, access, or confidence. Public spaces must therefore integrate assisted digital kiosks, voice-based navigation systems, and digital literacy programmes to enable active participation of older adults in a fast-evolving digital society. Designing mobile apps with large icons, intuitive layouts, and multilingual support is just as important as physical ramps.
In letter and spirit
True accessibility goes beyond tactile tiles, ramps, and ergonomic seating. To genuinely empower the elderly, accessibility must be seen not just through the physical or legal lens, but through a human-centric, integrated, and multidimensional approach. This means addressing not only how the elderly move through space, but also how they feel, how they are treated, and how they engage with society within those spaces.
One of the most overlooked aspects of elderly inclusion in public spaces is psychological accessibility. Even when a space is technically barrier-free, it may not be welcoming or intuitive for seniors. A large mall or hospital, for instance, can feel overwhelming, unfamiliar, and emotionally alienating. Elderly individuals often experience anxiety when navigating spaces that lack personal assistance, emotional cues, or a sense of community. This highlights the need for not only physical redesigns, but also empathy-driven services— like help desks with trained staff, clearly marked assistance zones, and volunteer greeters in public buildings — to create emotionally inclusive environments.
Cultural and social factors also deeply affect accessibility. In many Indian households, the elderly are revered, but in public life, their presence is often sidelined or neglected. Public spaces today are designed largely for the young, fast, and tech-savvy. In doing so, we risk rendering older adults invisible. Incorporating cultural sensitivity into design — providing prayer spaces, silence zones, or traditional recreational activities in parks and community centres — can bridge this gap and reconnect the elderly with their environments in meaningful ways.
Universal design advocates for spaces that are inherently accessible to people of all ages and abilities, eliminating the need for adaptations or specialised features. File photograph used for representational purposes only
Another key dimension is intergenerational accessibility. Public spaces should not isolate the elderly in silos of age-specific areas but rather promote interaction across age groups. When grandparents, parents, and children can share a space comfortably, it becomes more dynamic and inclusive. Intergenerational play zones in parks, community storytelling areas, or joint physical activity corners can cultivate mutual understanding and reduce ageism. Such interactions not only benefit seniors but also instil empathy and respect in younger generations.
Economic inclusion is also central to accessibility. The elderly, especially those from economically weaker sections, face compounded barriers when public transport, healthcare, and recreational spaces are either too costly or poorly maintained. Accessibility must not be a privilege for the urban elite but a right available to all. This calls for government investment in affordable age-friendly infrastructure — such as subsidised transport, free entry to public parks, and well-maintained restrooms — especially in smaller towns and rural areas. Public-private partnerships could play a critical role in funding and maintaining such infrastructure sustainably.
Safety and security are other crucial but often underemphasised components. Spaces that are accessible but not secure — such as isolated ramps, dark alleys, or unmanned elevators — can deter elderly users. Integration of features such as CCTV surveillance, panic buttons, well-trained security staff, and good lighting is essential to make the elderly feel secure and independent.
Importantly, a rights-based approach to elderly accessibility must be championed, shifting the narrative from charity to empowerment. The elderly should be treated not as passive recipients of aid, but as active citizens with a voice in planning and feedback processes. Including senior citizens in design consultations, city planning committees, and user-testing of public infrastructure is a powerful step toward this shift.
Finally, the role of community and civil society cannot be ignored. Building awareness about elderly needs among the general population is essential. Schools, residential associations, corporates, and even religious institutions can play a role in making public spaces age inclusive. From volunteer-led walking clubs for seniors to community monitoring of accessibility standards, collective ownership can ensure that elderly-friendly infrastructure is not just built — but is respected and maintained.
In conclusion, accessibility for the elderly in public spaces is not just a matter of infrastructure — it is a measure of a society’s empathy and foresight. As India ages rapidly, our cities, institutions, and services must be redesigned to include — not exclude — our elders.
Universal design offers a path forward: one that values independence, safety, and dignity for all. The conversation must now move from policy to pavement, from intention to execution. Because when we design for the elderly, we design for everyone.
(Prateek Madhav is the CEO and co-founder of AssisTech Foundation, an assistive technology innovation ecosystem. Neeraja A. leads communication and community engagement at AssisTech Foundation.)
