Creating a Flat Society Without Barriers: The Dream of WheeLog! and April Dream

The non-profit organization WheeLog!, which operates the barrier-free map application, has a dream to create a world without obstacles. In alignment with April Dream, an initiative to share dreams on April 1, WheeLog! has asserted its vision for a more inclusive society where every place is designed to be inherently user-friendly.

Our Vision: A World Where Flat Streets Are the Norm

Imagine spotting an inviting cafe or a trendy restaurant, only to be greeted by a solitary step at the entrance that transforms your excitement into despair. This heartbreaking experience of being close yet distant from friends remains vivid in the lives of many people using wheelchairs. Such barriers shouldn’t be passed down to future generations. Therefore, WheeLog!’s objective is clear: all new structures must start as accessible spaces for everyone, regardless of their physical limitations.

Why Change the Rules Now?

Japan's urban planning finds itself grappling with structural issues that cannot be solved merely by individual efforts or goodwill.

The 2,000㎡ Wall that Creates Vacuums

According to current laws, only buildings larger than 2,000 square meters are mandated to be barrier-free. Hence, many beloved local shops like convenience stores and cafes remain outside the scope of these regulations, creating a barrier-free desert.

Reserving '50 Years of Inconvenience'

Statistics reveal that approximately 23% of new buildings are still introducing new barriers at this very moment. These buildings are expected to linger in their current state for over 50 years, implying that allowing accessibility issues today equates to reserving inconvenience for the year 2076.

Taking Inspiration from Tottori Prefecture

However, the dream is not an unachievable ideal. Tottori Prefecture showcases an exemplary usage of unique ordinances, establishing zero-step entrances across buildings regardless of their size. What has succeeded in one region can indeed be replicated nationwide.

Activating Change Through Signature Campaigns

To remedy these structural deficiencies, WheeLog! is leading a signature campaign aimed at converting national architectural rules that define what accessibility looks like.

Our Proposal:

1. Ensuring Zero-Step Entrances for All New Constructs: From the initial design phase onward, new builds should be mandated to include zero-step entrances.
2. Establishing Standards for Complicated Design Aspects: Designs should secure specifications for areas that are hard to modify later, like corridor widths.

This initiative thrives on the belief that a barrier-free environment benefits everyone: parents with strollers, seniors with mobility challenges, and even future delivery robots. A seamless cityscape is future infrastructure everyone deserves.

Engaging with the Community: A Call to Action

WheeLog! invites you to join the dream of creating a barrier-free future. On April 4, 2026, join our YouTube Live event titled “Signature Campaign Briefing” to explore the challenges and envision a city 50 years ahead.

Event Details:
Date: April 4, 2026
Time: 20:00 to 21:00
Streaming Link: YouTube Live
Speakers Include:

- Yurika Oda, Representative Director of WheeLog!
- Sato Akira, Secretary-General of DPI Japan
- Yuji Kato, Change.org Japan

Join the Campaign:
Get involved by signing here, contributing to creating future urban regulations.

About WheeLog!

Founded with the mission to create a world without barriers for wheelchair users, WheeLog! launched Japan's largest barrier-free mapping application in 2017, accumulating over 100,000 downloads. The organization continues to visualize mobility barriers and advocate for an inclusive society.

Notable Achievements:

- 2019: Awarded ‘Global Champion’ at the World Summit Award.
- 2023: Recipient of the Prime Minister's Award at the Japan SDGs Award.
- 2024: Recognized by PR TIMES as ‘Public of the Year.’

Message from Yurika Oda

“When I became a wheelchair user at the age of 22 due to a rare disease, I felt a societal line drawn against me. However, in spaces without barriers, I am free to go anywhere. A tiny consideration at the design stage can create 50 years of freedom for someone in need. Join me in steering towards a future where we can look back and say, ‘Changing the rules was worthwhile.’”