Dr Antoni Tsaputra

Griffith alumnus, Dr Antoni Tsaputra, exemplifies what it means to truly live a life fuelled by passion and a desire for an inclusive society. Born with a profound physical disability, Dr Tsaputra has been a wheelchair user his whole life. Growing up in Indonesia, he struggled with inadequate health care and received extremely limited support to aid him to live a mobile life.

However, despite these limitations, his drive to receive a normal education and better himself and the world around him, was not hindered. In 2009, after previous unsuccessful applications, Antoni was awarded an Australian Development Scholarship to purse a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication at Griffith University, Australia. Unbeknownst to the selection panel or Antoni, the decision to award him the scholarship was the catalyst for a profound change in his career direction, from communications to disability advocacy, ultimately resulting in his successful push for disability policy reform.

During his time studying at Griffith University, Antoni received disability service support and an inclusive learning environment. For the first time in his life, he also experienced the freedom, and independence of using a motorised wheelchair. With this support behind him, Antoni gravitated towards disability related studies and received awards for academic excellence. He also used his time at Griffith to build his networks in disability support industries, as he knew it would be of benefit to his future direction in Indonesia. He was even invited to speak alongside Australian politicians, Kevin Rudd AC and Julie Bishop, at the Australian parliament 2011 launch of the WHO’s World Report on Disability.

During his speech, he spoke of his dream to live in a more inclusive and barrier-free society and how he is achieving that. However, he didn't want his story to be seen as remarkable, but instead a journey to which all children with disability could aspire. Antoni’s Masters degree set the foundation for a career dedicated to improving the lives of others. He has since completed his PhD in Australia and has been recognised globally for his advocacy work to empower individuals and organisation to implement policies and procedures to support those with disability. His research and recommendations have been shared in numerous academic publications and international media outlets.

Despite his tertiary studies having concluded, Dr Tsaptura demonstrates an ongoing commitment to promoting linkages between Australia and Indonesia through his education and advocacy work for disability policy reform. He has also been an Australia Alumni Awards Ambassador for many years, as he knows firsthand the transformational effect an Australian education can have for individuals and their Indonesian communities.

He has gone from strength to strength and continues to make and outstanding contribution to his profession and international disability community through his research and disability organisations. His ethos is ‘If there is a will, there will always be a way.’ Dr Tsaputra is the founder of the Indonesian Disabled People Association (PPDI) in Padang. He built this ground up, sourcing all funding, legal endorsement and all establishment requirements. He asserts that his efforts have three objectives; namely to encourage implementation of the CRPD in inclusive regional development in West Sumatra and Padang, to raise awareness of policy makers/government officials, community and people with disabilities in Padang on the rights of people with disabilities as stipulated in the CRPD, and to equip disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) in Padang city with knowledge and skills on advocacy of the CRPD and other legal rights. A direct result of his work is the establishment of disability rights laws in Padang. Padang City has also created two disability friendly areas, built using universal design principles such as disability friendly pedestrian access alongside monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure inclusive practices are monitored long term. Furthermore, nine people with disability have been recruited as public servants – roles previously deemed not suitable for those with physical limitations.

Dr Tsaputra’s current goal is to fully mainstream disability into city planning so that all departments have programs that address disability issues.

Today, he continues to exude his passion for helping others through his role as a researcher at the Australia Indonesia Disability Research and Advocacy Network (AIDRAN). This network brings together Australian and Indonesian disability advocates, researchers and practitioners to promote broader social inclusion through interdisciplinary research on disability and social inclusion and evidence-informed, disability-inclusive policy.

He is currently collaborating with an Australian researcher at the University of Sydney and a national network of Indonesian DPOs, to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indonesian people with disabilities.

Dr Antoni Tsaputra’s professional and personal accomplishments are truly remarkable and demonstrate a lifelong commitment towards critical issues in society. He makes outstanding contributions to his profession, community and country through exemplary leadership, integrity, innovation, and hard work.