Treatment

For some AA members, a six-inch step can be an insurmountable obstacle. A locked access door, a blocked ramp or parking problem can make it impossible to get to a meeting. Some members are ill, homebound or living in retirement or skilled nursing facilities; others are blind or deaf or have vision or hearing loss; some may learn, read, or process information differently; some may be wheelchair users; and still others may use canes or walkers, or have other mobility-related needs. Literature may be hard to understand. Childcare issues may make it impossible to attend regular meetings. Remote geography or cultural differences may hinder contact with other members.

Accessibility challenges apply to all alcoholics who have difficulty participating in Alcoholics Anonymous, whether those are mental, physical, geographic, cultural, or other factors that vary among people. Some of these alcoholics may experience barriers to accessing the AA message, including the literature, meetings, sponsorship, Twelfth Step work, and the service structure.

Whatever the access barrier may be, the goal of our members and especially those who serve on Accessibilities Committees, is to find solutions to help ensure every alcoholic can participate in AA meetings, Twelfth Step work, and AA service.

Accessibilities Committees explore, develop, and offer resources to alcoholics with significant barriers to receiving the Alcoholics Anonymous message and to participating in our program of recovery. We want AA to be available to all alcoholics who reach out for it.