Area 26

Alcoholics Anonymous

Accessibilities Toolkit – Mobility

Mobility

INTRODUCTION / GENERAL GUIDANCE:

  • Be aware of who is in your meeting and needs accommodations, as well as who isn’t at the meeting perhaps because of the lack of accessibility.
  • Every group or meeting should complete the Accessibilities Checklist for Meetings and Groups, and address as many gaps as possible.

“Members of a group may feel stymied when first faced with these out-of-the-ordinary challenges but, in fact, there are many modifications which can be made so that alcoholics with diverse needs can be active, participating members of the group. Some adjustments are simple and some are more complicated—but there are many that are possible.” – A.A. Guidelines-Accessibility for All Alcoholics, pg. 1

  • Lifting someone over stairs is not an acceptable solution for access. The group must be aware of accessible routes in a meeting space.
  • Ensure that an ASL interpreter is up front, close to the speaker or meeting chairperson, and easy access to Deaf Alcoholics (DAs) attending the meeting.
  • Signage for accessible parking and bathrooms is important and needs to be accurate.
  • Provide information on all meeting lists and websites regarding wheelchair accessibility for the meeting location and bathrooms so alcoholics with mobility disabilities can “know before they go.”
  • A New Group choosing a location for a meeting space should keep mobility and other accessibility issues at a high level of importance in the decision for their new location.
  • Creating a list of volunteers who can provide rides for those members who are not able to drive is good service.
  • The goal should be to ensure effective communication with people who have disabilities to be as effective as communication with others.

AA RESOURCES:

·       Accessibilities Checklist for Meetings and Groups

Contains a series of questions that may help your group determine the overall accessibility of your meeting space to those who frequently experience barriers.

·       A.A. Guidelines on Accessibility for All Alcoholics

·       Serving All Alcoholics – Making the A.A. Message Accessible

 A service piece in leaflet format for members interested in carrying the message to all alcoholics, especially those who experience barriers to access.

 ·       Access to A.A.: Members share on Overcoming Barriers

 

This pamphlet includes the experiences of A.A. members who are blind and/or deaf, those who have hearing or vision loss, those who are housebound or chronically ill, and those who are living with the effects of brain injuries or stroke. These are the stories of alcoholics who found A.A. and are now living new and productive lives free from alcohol.

AA GRAPEVINE RESOURCES:

https://www.aagrapevine.org/gvr-resources#getting-started

·       AA Grapevine Magazine Accessibilities Issue* (F-41B)
·       AA Grapevine Today/La Viña Hoy (one page flyer) * (F-188)

MEETING LISTING GUIDANCE:

  • Ensure meetings can be held in accessible locations. Not every meeting space will be accessible, but make sure that people with disabilities have a variety of choices.
  • Each group should make sure that your meeting accessibility is listed correctly. If your meeting is “Wheelchair Accessible” or “Wheelchair Accessible” and “Wheelchair Bathroom Accessible” list this in meeting directories by contacting your intergroup and/or Area 26 Registrar. Your accurate meeting listing will be added to Meeting Guide app.

 

For questions or comments, contact Area 26 Accessibilities Coordinator,  accessibilities@area26.net.