Welcome to the United Nations
25 July 2025: Yuriko Oda, founder and CEO of WheeLog!, is dedicated to breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities. Diagnosed with GNE Myopathy at 22 and becoming a wheelchair user at 26, she discovered the deep impact that access to reliable accessibility information could have – especially after wishing to take her young son to the beach and realizing the challenges wheelchair users face in navigating public spaces.
In 2017, Oda launched WheeLog!, a user-generated accessibility map application that allows people to share photos, record accessible routes, and even use a 3D simulation tool to check whether spaces can accommodate their needs. The platform now has over 100,000 users worldwide.
Speaking at the United Nations, Oda emphasized that persons with disabilities, though sometimes physically limited, possess dignity and have the means to make valuable contributions to society – if given the right support. She sees the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) not just as global ambitions, but as promises to be tied to the daily realities of those with disabilities: the ability to move freely, work and study, and participate in everyday life.
Her message is clear: persons with disabilities are not only recipients of help; they can be problem solvers and leaders of tomorrow. She calls for a future where no one is forgotten and everyone can pursue their dreams, picturing a world where “anyone can go anywhere.” In recognition of her inclusive innovation, Oda was awarded the Japan SDGs Award in December 2023.