Daisuke Uchiyama, who began using a wheelchair during his middle school years.
An encounter with programming became a turning point in his life, and now, while working as an engineer, he is developing an app called Divers Map, which shares information about wheelchair and stroller-friendly routes.
Driven by the desire to "use my experience to help others," his initiative now holds the potential to spread nationwide.
We spoke with Uchiyama about his journey through various challenges and explorations, and his vision for creating cities where everyone can move around easily.
1. Who is Daisuke Uchiyama?
[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Daisuke Uchiyama]
Akaishi: I heard you became interested in programming during middle school. What sparked that interest?
Uchiyama: I originally enjoyed building model kits.
In middle school, I participated in a soccer robot development event, which sparked my interest in programming. Watching the code I wrote actually work was incredibly fascinating.
Akaishi: What kind of personality did you have as a child?
Uchiyama: People saw me as a cheerful person.
Before I started using a wheelchair, I loved animals and the sea, and I wanted to research something related to fish.
2. Not Giving Up on University Dreams
Akaishi: Can you tell us about your path after high school?
Uchiyama: After graduating high school, I spent two years preparing for university entrance exams.
Initially, I wanted to enter a science or biology department, but being in a wheelchair presented various challenges.
Some universities even said, "We can't accept you unless your family is with you all day."
Although I could manage on my own, the universities' decisions were strict. After two years of effort, I realized continuing the same path wasn't beneficial.
That's when I decided to pursue programming, which I experienced in middle school, and enrolled in a technical school. I believed that programming, which can be done on a computer, offered possibilities even for someone in a wheelchair.
3. The Story Behind "Divers Map"
3-1. The Inspiration for App Development
Akaishi: What inspired you to develop Divers Map?
Uchiyama: When I first entered technical school, I wanted to acquire programming skills.
So, I aimed to eventually create an app to solve the problem of inaccessible routes for wheelchairs.
In my second year, I participated in a student programming development program hosted by Fukuoka City, where I honed my programming skills.
Later, I was introduced to an app development contest, where I formed a team and began developing the idea that became Divers Map.
3-2. Formation of Team "Divers"
Akaishi: What does the team name "Divers" signify?
Uchiyama: We played on the word "diversity" to create "Divers."
It reflects our focus on diversity, and "Divers Map" means a map of diversity.
Akaishi: What kind of app is Divers Map?
Uchiyama: It's an app where wheelchair users and people with strollers can share information about accessible routes with each other.
Users can edit and post information about the routes they have taken. After actually using a route, they can register information like "this path was safe and accessible."
In a broader sense, it's a barrier-free map created by everyone.
3-3. The Reason for Focusing on Accessibility
Akaishi: Why do you focus on accessibility information?
Uchiyama: Of course, I personally want accessibility information, but I also believe it's important from a future perspective.
Not only for people with disabilities, but as society ages, technological support will increase.
Even young people who don't use wheelchairs now may need them as they age.
Additionally, it will make it easier for people with strollers to get around, so I believe that spreading this map will contribute to creating cities where everyone can move around easily.
4. Expanding Circles with "City Walk Events"
4-1. The Inspiration for Hosting Events
Akaishi: What inspired you to start the city walk events?
Uchiyama: It was actually a suggestion from an advisor.
They said, "You should do more than just app development; hosting events could expand your activities."
So, I thought, "If we host an event where people actually walk around using this app, it could improve the app and provide an opportunity for everyone to think about accessibility." Initially, it was a trial, but it received a great response.
4-2. Insights Gained from Events
Akaishi: Were there any surprises when you held the events?
Uchiyama: It was really surprising, but most of the participants were able-bodied people.
Many joined to "understand the perspective of wheelchair users" and "learn how to support them."
One participant said, "I used to just watch when I saw someone in a wheelchair struggling because I didn't know how to help. But through this event, I learned how to offer assistance and communicate effectively."
Hearing such feedback makes me feel "I'm glad we did this."
Through the events, I feel like we're gradually spreading not just physical accessibility but also mental accessibility.
5. The Vision for Divers Map
Akaishi: What do you envision as the final form of Divers Map?
Uchiyama: Since this map is built through everyone's contributions, it feels like it will continuously move towards completion.
However, in the short term, I want to address the issue of limited data, which results in few search results.
One goal is to gather enough information so that when you search in areas like Tenjin or Hakata in Fukuoka, you get results and can safely navigate those places.
In the future, I hope to collaborate with other groups creating similar barrier-free maps in different regions to share information and achieve a nationwide barrier-free map.
6. A Message to Those Hesitating to Take on Challenges
Akaishi: Lastly, could you share a message for those who want to take on challenges but are hesitant?
Uchiyama: I understand the feelings of those who have something they want to try but are wondering, "Can I do it?"
I've faced such situations many times myself.
What's important is not to give up thinking "maybe it's impossible," but to think about "how to make it happen." It doesn't have to be a perfect plan. Just take the first step.
Even if it doesn't go well, that experience will surely lead to your next challenge.
By adjusting your direction and moving towards what you want to do, I believe the path will eventually open up.
7. Conclusion
Through this interview, I felt Uchiyama's positivity and flexibility.
Despite experiencing setbacks in university entrance exams, he found a path where he could leverage his strengths and connect it to solving social issues, which was very impressive.
"Divers Map" goes beyond a mere app development project and contributes to creating a diverse society.
The perspective of creating cities where everyone can move around easily, regardless of disabilities
