Emo Gruppioni dies, stuck in his house for 15 years because the condominium did not have an elevator: his battle mobilized Italy for rights

Emo Gruppioni has diedthe 86-year-old disabled elderly man from Bologna who had fought for years to installing an elevator in his apartment building that would finally allow him to leave the house afterwards 15 years of forced isolation.

Emo had been partially paralyzed following a stroke, which left him unable to climb the stairs of his third-floor apartment. For a long time, due to his physical condition and the lack of economic resources to install an elevator, Emo was forced to remain confined at homewithout the possibility of leading a normal life.

His family, with the support of various public figures and associations, started a legal battle to overcome the opposition of the neighbors and obtain the installation of the lift. Thanks to their determination, the use of the Superbonus and the support of many well-known faces who had dedicated themselves to his cause, Emo was finally able to regain his freedom of movement.

Thanks to him, even small elevators are considered interventions to remove architectural barriers

The installation of the lift marked an important legal precedent, as it made it possible to clarify that even small lifts, in derogation of law 13 of 1989, can be considered interventions aimed at eliminating architectural barriers.

This case has had a significant impact for many other people with disabilities who find themselves living in similar situations. In fact, his story has created a legal precedent that could facilitate access to similar solutions for hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals across the country.

Upon hearing the news of his death, numerous people expressed their condolences and recognition for his fight. The mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, underlined how Emo’s battle represents an example of civilizationinviting everyone to do more to overcome architectural barriers and guarantee freedom of movement for those who need it.