Blindness Coverage

USA blind soccer team makes debut

The USA Blind Men's Soccer Team held its first ever match in California and competed against Canada.

USA Blind Men's Soccer Team makes debut in California

USA Blind Men's Soccer Team held its first-ever match in California and competes against Canada.

Cary student wins 'Lighthouse Guild' scholarship for the blind

Avery Sallean is one of only 15 students across the country to win a $10,000 scholarship from the Lighthouse Guild of New York City.

Legally blind Cary student wins $10K scholarship to pursue future helping others with disabilities

Avery Sallean is one of only 15 students across the country to win a $10,000 scholarship from the Lighthouse Guild of New York City.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

Cooper vetoes bill on new oversight for state's deaf and blind schools

The bill received little opposition before the veto by Cooper, who said it was yet another General assembly takeover of education board appointments.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Canes fan provides tech to help refugees see way to safety

Laurel Wheeler left her home in Finland to supply refugees in Poland with technology to help those who are visually impaired navigate their new environment.

Saint's unique vision now provides refuge to blind Ukrainian children

Close to two dozen Ukrainian refugee children, all with impaired vision, are treated and cared for, free, at a center built on the vision of Saint Roza, who lost her sight and gained insight into the plight of the blind.

David Crabtree, WRAL anchor/reporter

NCSU students design playground for the blind

NC State Design students who are members of a club called Freedom By Design want to put their skills to good use to upgrade and modernize this playground on the campus of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind.

Blind Texas artist helps us see the world in a new way

Art speaks to people in different ways. It can evoke feelings, and for the artist you're about to hear about, art is feeling. Noelle Walker has the story of a visually impaired artist who paints by touch, feel and memory.

Summer camp for the blind transforms the lives of students

A summer camp for the blind and visually impaired to explore how the program operates, and empowers its students.

First blind Asian man climbs Mt. Everest

Zhang Hong is only the third blind climber from anywhere in the world to reach the highest peak on the planet.

Blind Durham couple spent weeks trying to get vaccination appointments

Americans who are blind or are visually impaired report challenges scheduling coronavirus vaccinations appointments online.

Scheduling vaccination appointments presents extra challenges to visually-impaired people

Americans who are blind or are visually impaired report challenges scheduling coronavirus vaccinations appointments online.

Indira Eskieva, WRAL Eastern North Carolina reporter

Program helping blind students get leg up in aerospace industry

A program at a Utah technical college is helping blind students get a much-needed leg up in the aerospace industry.

Raleigh's school for the blind adapts to the pandemic

The Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh is adapting to the pandemic. The school is uniquely qualified to teach students under difficult scenarios.

Students at Raleigh's school for the blind adjust to the pandemic

The Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh is uniquely qualified to teach students under difficult scenarios. Remote learning is just another challenge that has them determined to come out of this stronger.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist; Jeff Hogan, WRAL reporter

Judge orders new accommodations for blind voters in pandemic

Blind and low-vision voters need access to voting portal used for voters overseas, military, federal judge rules.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Durham manufacturer offers opportunity, inspiration for those who have lost their sight

LCI Industries in Durham employs people with blindness on the factory floor and in leadership roles.

People with visual impairments find work, inspiration at Durham manufacturer

Durham manufacturer LCI doesn't just employ people who are visually impaired - it helps them find opportunities that will last a lifetime.

Richard Adkins, WRAL photojournalist

Drum major with vision impairment leads high school band to success

Claiborne High School drum major Braden Owens doesn't let his vision impairment stop him from leading a marching band at his Tennessee school.

'It's turned their world upside down' COVID-19 takes toll on deaf & blind

Social distancing makes communication impossible for those who rely solely on touch.

Data helps predict which dogs will be best as seeing-eye companions

Sean Mealin, who is legally blind, has worked the computer science department at NC State for almost five years to gather data from smart dog collars, a collaboration project with university, IBM and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

NC State research helps puppies to become guide dogs

One Ph.D. student's research at North Carolina State University is helping pick which puppies will successfully become a service dog.

Eddi Cabrera Blanco, 2020 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellow

Deaf and blind puppy has her own guide dog ... her brother

It's a special bond between two adorable puppies who are looking for their forever home.

Device gives sight to man without it for nearly two decades

WRAL's Bryan Mims was with a Sanford man who has a remarkable device that's allowing him to see again. He wants to share his story and the greatness of the device with others.