Finally, someone in the island has created a disabled- and elderly-friendly store where seniors and persons with disabilities can do their groceries independently with no need for assistance (although there are call buttons at the entrance and store aisles in case they do).
Called Enabled Store and located within the Enabling Village, an integrated community space for people with disabilities in Redhill, NTUC Fairprice’s first store of this kind has magnifying glasses at every aisle to help customers read product labels, and shelves customised to ideal heights for easy reach.
It also offers a more extensive range of supplements, products with the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) and assistive products such as walking aids.
FairPrice has sent 100 frontline staff to a training programme to help them understand and anticipate the needs of senior customers, recognise senior related ailments such as dementia, as well as empathise with the difficulties that seniors may encounter so they can communicate and respond better to their needs.
With more than 77,200 with disabilities above the age of 18, and the number of seniors in Singapore expected to grow to more than 900,000 in 2030, we’re guessing this won’t be the first Enabled Store in town.
Enabled Store is at 20 Lengkok Bahru, #01-13 and opens daily from 8am to 9pm.
File Photo: James Ong
