If you are interested in becoming an active member of the District 5 Accessibilities Committee or are interested in what we do, please send an email to accessibility@aadistrict5.org.
Mission: The Accessibilities Committee explores, develops, and offers resources to alcoholics who have significant barriers to receiving the Alcoholics Anonymous message and participating in our program of recovery. We want A.A. to be available to all alcoholics who reach out for it.
ACCESSIBILITIES CHECKLIST FOR MEETINGS AND GROUPS
How accessible is your in-person meeting? Click Accessibilities Checklist to find out how to reduce the physically-based access barriers that a person may encounter when attending meetings at your location.
District 5 Accessibilities Committee Resources:
Resources for Alcoholics with Accessibility Barriers:
- AA Big Book (Read, Watch ASL, or Listen)
- AA Big Book in Braille
- Plain Language Big Book
- AA Twelve Traditions (Read, Watch ASL, or Listen)
- AA Twelve and Twelve in Braille
- AA Guidelines – Sharing the AA Message with the Alcoholic Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- AA Guidelines – Accessibility for All Alcoholics
- AA for the Older Alcoholic – Never Too Late
- AA for Alcoholics with Accessibility Issues
- Access to AA: Overcoming Barriers
- Alcoholics with Mental Health Issues & their Sponsors
- Remote Communities
LEGACY OF SERVICE:
The District 5 Accessibilities Committee is composed of:
- Accessibilities Committee Chairperson: Elected by Accessibilities Committee Members and approved by the District 5 Body at the next monthly District 5 business meeting.
- Accessibilities Committee Members: Any member of an AA group in District 5 can join the committee. There is no limit to the number of committee members and there is no required time of commitment.
- Additional positions, as needed: If the committee becomes large enough, an Alternate Accessibilities Committee Chairperson, a Secretary and/or a Treasurer position may be added. All interested A.A. members in District 5 are eligible to stand for these positions and are elected by the current Accessibilities Committee members present during monthly committee meeting. The officer positions require approval by the District 5 Body at the next monthly District 5 business meeting.
Qualifications:
- Accessibilities Committee Chairperson: It is recommendedthat the Accessibilities Chairperson has 2 years or more of continuous sobriety, a working knowledge of AA’s 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, is available to attend monthly District 5 business meetings and quarterly Area 15 Assemblies, and is familiar with or willing to become familiar with, the Accessibilities Committee Workbook and Accessibilities Kit List. (When attending the Area Assembly, the Chairperson is reimbursed by District 5 for one night’s lodging, plus the current reimbursement rate for a banquet ticket (or non-banquet meal if unable to attend the banquet.)
- Accessibilities Committee Members: There is no minimum sobriety requirement, however, it is recommended that members with less than one year of continuous sobriety check with their sponsor.
- Additional Officer Positions: There is no minimum sobriety requirement, however, it is recommended that members with less than one year of continuous sobriety check with their sponsor.
Committee Scope/Procedure:
- Meet monthly, usually at a central location in District 5. (Note that the Accessibilities Chairperson is responsible for reserving a space for the monthly meetings, informing committee members of the scheduled meeting, and making sure the District 5 web calendar is accurate.)
- Offer a forum for committee members to discuss ways to carry A.A.’s program of recovery to alcoholics who have significant barriers to receiving the Alcoholics Anonymous message and participating in our program.
- Provide resources and guidance to A.A. Groups in District 5 to accommodate all AA members regarding accessibility issues at their home groups.
- Develop projects that support alcoholics with barriers to accessing A.A.’s program of recovery, such as deaf, hard-of-hearing, mobility challenged, those without childcare, etc. Another example is to reach out to the senior population, 55+ community and assisted living facilities to provide literature, determine interest in staff presentations, and introduce the availability of Zoom AA Meetings. Investigate the possibility of taking an in-person A.A. meeting to an assisted living facility.
- Communicate with the public and appropriate agencies regarding accessibility to A.A.
- Cooperate with other District 5 Committees, sharing information and coordinating projects where appropriate.
- Maintain/enhance the Accessibilities Display that the committee takes to District 5 events, such as the District 5 Intergroup-hosted Gratitude Dinner, District 5-hosted workshops, roundups, etc., home group anniversaries if invited, etc.
Chairperson Scope/Procedure
- Schedule and chair recurring monthly District 5 Accessibilities Committee meeting. Send meeting reminder to District 5 Accessibilities Committee Members each month and ensure the District 5 website calendar reflects accurate meeting information.
- Attend monthly District 5 business meeting and give oral report of committee activities and monthly committee expenditures. Email typed report to District Secretary no later than the day after the business meeting for inclusion in meeting minutes.
- Attend quarterly Accessibilities Committee workshop at the Area 15 Assembly and give summary report of District 5 Accessibilities activities. In turn, include Accessibilities news and information gathered from other districts in Area 15 and the General Service Office (GSO) in monthly Accessibilities Committee report at the next District 5 business meeting.
- Submit receipts for committee expenditures to District Treasurer for reimbursement.
- Submit a budget to the Finance Committee by October each year.
- Update the Accessibilities Committee web page (https://aadistrict5.org/?page_id=87) as needed throughout their 2-year term, including the Legacy of Service. At end of their term, review the Legacy of Service and update it by October of even numbered year to ensure it is accurate for anyone wishing to stand for the Accessibilities Committee Chair position for the next panel/term.
- At the end of term, forward the Accessibilities Committee Display to their successor (or to the incoming District 5 Chairperson if there is no successor).
- If a special need comes up which requires additional funds, check with the Finance Committee to see if funds are available. If funds are available, request the additional funds as a motion under New Business at the district business meeting. If approved by the District 5 body, additional funds will be granted.
- Should any monetary contributions be made directly to the Accessibilities Committee, forward them to the District Treasurer for the General Fund.
- Review Accessibilities Committee conference agenda items each year with committee members and then present a brief summary of the changes at the District 5 business meeting held prior to April Area Assembly.
Revised: June 2, 2025/AM&CR