Yenni Budiantoro

Indonesian disability rights activist who revolutionized accessibility laws

Yenni Budiantoro (1968–2019) transformed Indonesia's approach to disability rights despite losing her legs in a 2004 tsunami. Her 18-year campaign led to the groundbreaking Disability Rights Act No. 8/2016, mandating wheelchair ramps in 87,000+ public buildings.

She founded DIFAbel Foundation, creating Southeast Asia's first sign language TV program. Her "Barrier-Free Jakarta" initiative removed 12,000+ sidewalk obstacles through crowdsourced mapping.

Yenni's "Nothing Without Us" philosophy forced parliament to include wheelchair users in legislative drafting. She staged 137 protests using modified becak (cycle rickshaws) as mobile barricades.