My Design to Help People with Disabilities

By Leila Ihezagirwe, ASYV Class of 2025

Leila Ihezagirwe built a light that is accessible for people with disabilities. 

One day, I was sitting in an electronics class, and the teacher explained that in this class, we are trained to become problem solvers. In my home community, I often saw people with missing limbs and trouble moving. I started thinking about a project I could make that would help people with physical disabilities. Then I started asking my teacher questions about the project.

I decided to make a lamp controlled by Bluetooth from your phone. Whenever you are inside the house, you can switch the light on and off just by tapping your phone, without needing to move. This project can help many people. For example, some people are tired after a hard day of work, or are sick. This lamp can help them. However, the main purpose of this project is to help people with disabilities. If they are alone at home, they don’t have to call someone to switch the lamp on and off. With this project, people can have independence that they could not have otherwise. 

I made this lamp using computer programming and employing Arduino. Arduino is a software that combines electronics and computer programming to create new innovations. There are so many materials and skills that came together, from the programming to Arduino to the jump wires. I had to work hard to find a way to combine all of these materials with my knowledge to create the product that I needed.

This project helped me find my passion in life. After graduating from ASYV, I want to study to become an engineer. I want to continue my journey of solving problems for people with disabilities. Many people face problems that we can use technology to solve, and I want to be part of the solution.