Accessibilities Committee

BLINDNESS, LOW VISION OR VISION IMPAIRMENT

Blindness, low vision, or vision impairment can impede recovery in a variety of ways.  Reliable and safe transportation to meetings as well as access to braille and audio literature are recognized needs of the Fellowship. A.A.W.S has publications in braille and audio.

LITERACY

The written word has been central to carrying the message of recovery, but it cannot be assumed that all people are literate.
Audio versions of all conference approved materials are widely available through G.S.O. and the A.A.W.S. YouTube site
(https://www.youtube.com/c/AlcoholicsAnonymousWorldServicesInc).

It is important for groups to be aware of these resources, and that new resources are always being developed.  Groups sharing new information with the district and area can help broaden availability of the message of Alcoholics Anonymous.

ELDER COMMUNITY

Extending the hand of A.A. to older alcoholics can offer hope to a population that is all too frequently isolated. Many older adults have difficulty getting to A.A. meetings. They may have trouble with mobility and transportation. Shrinking social networks often means that fewer friends are available to help. Still others may not have the ability to obtain internet or smart phones. There are solutions: Providing meetings at assisted living communities, nursing homes, or rehabilitation facilities is one option. If one of the homegroup members needs transportation, provide rides.

PARENTS & OTHER CAREGIVERS

Getting to meetings and participating in other service-related A.A. activities can be difficult for parents without childcare. It is necessary to provide a current list of online meetings where kids are welcome, or where childcare is available. One of the added considerations for a group’s location could include an available room for childcare. When you help a parent, you help the child of an alcoholic who may be experiencing the seed of an A.A. message. 

INTELLECTUAL, SENSORY, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Members with cognitive disabilities should be shown the same patience, kindness, dignity, and respect shown to alcoholics with physical disabilities. However, cognitive disabilities can be less evident, and moreover, members with such disabilities may find it difficult to ask for help. As such, effectively carrying the message of A.A. to these alcoholics requires dedicated attention and resources.  Additionally, groups may choose to use accessibility resources to learn of ways to structure meetings to encourage participation by members with cognitive disabilities, who may otherwise feel that A.A. is not for them. Communicating in the language of the heart is supported by an effort to understand and to encourage group participation regardless of cognitive differences.

DEAF & HARD OF HEARING

Deaf and hard of hearing members need accessibility services to give and receive the language of the heart. AA meetings are now using new services, such as online meetings, which have opened up new access to recovery. However, with accessibility services, groups can learn to set up a room that allows a Deaf/deaf person and other members to face each other and be understood. Accessibility services can educate groups on the needs of Deaf/deaf AAs and support these meetings as they engage in twelve-step-work with interpreters and literature such as the ASL Big Book DVD.  More and more groups are self-supporting in hiring interpreters who are allowed in closed groups for this life-saving program to help the still suffering alcoholic. Accessibility services let groups make an informed group conscience decision to best fulfill our primary purpose.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to in-person meetings is an additional barrier to accessibility.  Members without private transportation are often forced to rely on either public transportation or on their own mobility to attend meetings. Those who rely on public transportation may contend with the cost, difficulties transferring between multiple transport systems, or difficulties traversing the distance between public transport stops. Even if members are able to use public transportation to attend meetings, they may be forced to arrive late or leave early due to the scheduling of the public transport.

Members who walk or bike to meetings are limited to the distance they are able to physically traverse. Meetings may not offer a clear location for members to lock up their bikes. Many meetings help address these difficulties through a culture of providing rides to those in need. While many members are able and willing to provide rides, this may be underutilized if providing rides is not spoken of as an act of service and if newer members are not encouraged to ask for rides should the need arise.

LONERS/REMOTE

Loners and remote people are disconnected for a variety of reasons. Access and attraction are critical as solitude and isolation fuel the alcoholic illness.  According to the Loners-Internationalists Meeting (LIM) — a confidential bimonthly bulletin sent to Loners, Homers, Internationalists, Port Contacts, and Loner Sponsors—Loners are A.A. members who are unable to attend meetings regularly because there is no A.A. meeting in the vicinity where they live. Homers are A.A. members unable to attend A.A. meetings because of physical incapacity. The Loners/Internationalist Meeting (LIM) is a newsletter for A.A. members, who are unable to attend A.A. meetings, either due to illness or the remoteness of their location. Another tool to help the still suffering alcoholic stay connected is through a subscription to either the Grapevine or La Viña.

PHYSICAL DISABILITY/CHRONIC ILLNESS

Physical disability and chronic illness can affect many people. Opportunity for access is critical. There are many adjustments and accommodations that can be made for people with physical disability and chronic illness. A.A.’s with physical disabilities or chronic illness may use a wheelchair, have a brain injury, or be confined to their bed due to their condition.  

In addition to taking meetings to hospitals, A.A. groups can make their meetings accessible by choosing meeting places with wheelchair ramps, creating space for wheelchairs in their meeting, and ensuring to note in meeting registries that their meeting is accessible. 

Groups can increase visibility and access to services and materials available for members who are chronically ill and/or have limited mobility, including options like a subscription to the Grapevine or La Viña, the Loners/Internationalist Meeting (LIM) newsletter for A.A. members, and a list of all A.A. meetings using online meeting platforms or teleconferencing apps if internet access is available.

Members who walk or bike to meetings are limited to the distance they are able to physically traverse. Meetings may not offer a clear location for members to lock up their bikes. Many meetings help address these difficulties through a culture of providing rides to those in need. While many members are able and willing to provide rides, this may be underutilized if providing rides is not spoken of as an act of service and if newer members are not encouraged to ask for rides should the need arise.

SERVICE ANIMAL

Service dogs have the right to accompany their handler. This is protected by Federal Law. Here is a list of common tasks service dogs perform for their handlers:

• Guiding the blind.
• Alerting the deaf to noises.
• Pulling a wheelchair.
• Retrieving items.
• Alerting to seizures or diabetes attacks.
• Reminding persons to take prescribed medication.
• Calming people with PTSD during anxiety attacks.