School for the blind: How students with visual impairment manage virtual learning, return to classrooms

After more than a year, 12-year-old Madison Fincher and two dozen of her classmates have returned to campus.

Madison is among 39 students from across the state – elementary age to age 21 -- enrolled in the Governor Morehead School for the Blind.

Twenty-six are back on campus; the others remain in remote learning.

They did it as all students have done it: In front of screens. But when your sight is impaired, a screen can be just a blank space.

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

"That would include professional braille displays, magnifiers, screen reading devices so that our students can access the digital content," said Principal Matthew Mescall.

At just 12 years old, Fincher had to take on a unique set of educational challenges during the pandemic.

"It involved a lot of effort. It involved a lot of struggling, and I just had to learn how to do it," she said.

Sharon Ruebesam's elementary school students had their braillers -- which look like typewriters -- at home.

"We would do braille exercises and braille lessons," she said.

But it wasn't the same as watching her students pounding out their braille in her classroom.

"I can't imagine teaching anywhere else. It's so rewarding seeing when the light bulb goes on, seeing struggle turn into achievement," said Ruebesam.

Students live in on-campus cottages during the week, but there are new rules. Just one student per room. Only two at a time in the day room. Staff helps them keep their distance.

Residence hall employees say they are working hard to make it feel normal for the students. They said it's challenging, but they are making it work.

Back inside classroom 109, there's no masking Fincher's pearly personality –thrilled to be back in her keyboarding class.

"It felt amazing, and I still feel like I'm dreaming," she said.

Welcome back, students.