For most, back to school time is all about getting organized for the year ahead, getting new supplies and maybe a new wardrobe. For people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI), they must think about all these things but also have a whole other set of concerns to consider.  Low expectations from educators, accessibility issues and a poor understanding of individual students’ needs are all challenges that can lead to frustration. Unfortunately, 35 percent of the blind and visually impaired (BVI) population lacks a high school diploma.

In today’s competitive job market, a high school education, at the minimum, is essential for success. Statistics show that those without a high school diploma are twice as likely to live in poverty, three times more likely to be unemployed and eight times more likely to be in jail or prison than graduates.

A distance education program can offer a solution that eliminates many of the roadblocks that that the BVI population faces. The features inherent in a distance education program including elimination of the need for transportation, self-paced learning, flexible schedule and accessibility are of particular advantage.

Julie Kay, lead instructor for The Hadley School for the Blind, which offers an accessible, individualized, self-paced and accredited high school program, offers these top tips for success:

Remember why you’re working so hard: Statistics show that a high school diploma is advantageous in many areas of life, and personal growth and self-esteem may be the most important. "My mother never got a high school diploma, and that really stuck with her. She always regretted it. So now I try to remind my students that they should take advantage of this wonderful opportunity," says Kay.

Consistency is key: Kay recommends keeping consistent study hours. That way, you’re less liable to procrastinate and say that you’ll catch up on your work at another time. The advantage of a distance education program is that you can set your own hours, so it’s easy to work around work or family schedules.

Keep talking: Instructors are there to help, so don’t be shy! Kay says her most successful students weren’t always necessarily the most talented, but they did all have one thing in common: they were always curious and asked questions to help solve problems. In addition to talking with instructors, another way to stay engaged in your coursework is to discuss it with your family and friends. "If you take time to share something new you learned with your spouse or friend, you’re making it part of your life rather than something you just do for part of the day,' explains Kay.

Don’t get discouraged: Many BVI individuals may have faced difficulties in education in the past, which is what has led them to seek a distance education program in the first place. Kay says that the self-paced nature eliminates a lot of pressure that may have prevented students from succeeding in the past. In addition, she emphasizes that students must believe in themselves, no matter their age or life stage. If a student is having difficulty, she recommends they contact Hadley’s Student Services Department to find a class that may be better suited for their current ability level. When they succeed in that course, they will have the confidence to try more.

Utilize the Internet: The internet is chock-full of useful information for high school students including articles and Web sites with additional course resources as well as social networking sites where you can talk to other students about problems. "Many of our classes are now online, and we offer coursework in adaptive technology," explains Kay.

About Hadley:  Founded in 1920, The Hadley School for the Blind’s mission is to promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers. The world’s largest educator of braille, Hadley enrolls more than 10,000 students in all 50 states and 100 countries each year. For more information, visit www.hadley.edu or call 800-323-4238.