Student Profile: Robert Hampson

Robert Hampson is a 19 year student in his first year student at the W. Ross Macdonald School in Brantford. In the short time Robert has been at WRMS, he has become actively involved in all aspects of school life. Not only is Robert a national level competitive swimmer, his contributions to his home community have made him an exemplary role model for all of the students at WRMS. He has given seminars on the challenges of living with a visual impairment at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), was a member of the accessibility committee at the Royal Ontario Museum and runs his own charity called the Robert Hampson Tabs for Kids Charity (www.poptabsforwheelchairs.ca).



Picture: Robert works with SONAR (Sound Production software) in the Communications Lab at the W. Ross Macdonald School

As well, Robert has recently been selected to be a representative on the Minister’s Student Advisory Council (MSAC). The MSAC is a group of sixty students from all across the province that come together to share their ideas about the future of education in Ontario. This will allow Robert to share his ideas and visions for students with disabilities directly with the Minister of Education:

I strongly believe effective student advocacy involves providing a concrete action plans to address specific issues and problems facing students. These plans need to be presented to the learning community and government officials responsible for the education system. Students can effectively advocate for themselves by educating others and presenting actionable solutions to problems.

Robert’s selection to the MSAC will allow him to further educate people about the unique challenges faced by students with visual impairments. He is well on his way to achieving his goal of working as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Want to hear more from Robert? Listen to the interview conducted by fellow student Kellie K.

or follow the link to listen.

For more information, go to Minister’s Student Advisory Council (MSAC).