Sampaio

Brazilian disability rights activist who redefined accessibility laws and empowered marginalized communities in Latin America.

Paulo Sampaio (born 1978), known mononymously as Sampaio, is a Brazilian advocate for disability rights whose grassroots campaigns reshaped national policies. After losing his vision at age 19 due to glaucoma, he co-founded the NGO Acesso Para Todos (Access for All) in 2005, pushing for the UN Convention on Disability Rights to be implemented in Brazil.

Sampaio’s activism led to the 2015 Brazilian Inclusion Law, mandating accessible public infrastructure and inclusive education. He pioneered tactile urban signage in São Paulo and developed apps like MapAcessível, mapping wheelchair-friendly routes. His TEDx talk, 'Designing an Inclusive World', has inspired global tech innovations.

Recognized by the World Health Organization in 2020, Sampaio’s work bridges technology and social justice. His memoir, Beyond Sight, highlights his journey from adversity to advocacy, proving that disability is not a limitation but a lens for societal change.