EKO Scholar Dylan Kingston

“Every interaction is a two way street. Treat other people how you hope to be treated.” Dylan

An exceptional leader and advocate for people with disabilities, Dylan Kingston has a particular passion for promoting the importance of assistive technology to help students with learning disabilities achieve success.

Caring about the needs of others comes naturally to Dylan. Not only did he volunteer at the school’s breakfast program, being part of the team that served hundreds of meals to students in need, he also volunteered with his city’s Teddy Bear Picnic, eventually accumulating over 200 volunteer service hours to help others.

Never one to give up, Dylan overcame struggles with sports to participate in his school’s cross-country running club, finishing every race and gaining confidence in his abilities. He also acted in youth productions from a young age, having parts in over a dozen shows. Being an actor affirmed his strength as a team player and helped boost his courage to be a public speaker.

A natural leader, Dylan completed multiple public speaking engagements, including to university and college students about how using assistive technology helped him, and can help others, overcome learning challenges in school. A highlight of this advocacy role was speaking at the Ontario Human Rights Commission Right to Read public inquiry into human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities. The Commission has indicated they will use a clip of Dylan in the launch of their recommendations this fall.

As someone who struggled in elementary school and only learned how to sound out words at the end of grade eight, Dylan worried about being successful in high school. With his perseverance, positive attitude and love of learning, Dylan achieved honours every year, including in grade 12, and is especially proud of passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. For Dylan, being named an EKO Scholar is a huge honour.

Dylan is studying General Arts and Sciences at Confederation College with plans to become a published author.

Read about EKO Scholar Evan McDonald