CARRYING THE MESSAGE TO THE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
For members who are deaf or hard of hearing, the use of a skilled interpreter
in American Sign Language (ASL) is encouraged. The Special Needs Committee can compile and
maintain a list of meetings where ASL interpreters are available, as well as a list of ASL
interpreters who are willing and able to sign at A.A. functions. The cost of ASL interpreters
is a factor for many groups. In some areas, the intergroup or district committees provide
financial assistance and/or help coordinate efforts to make signed meetings available. Some intergroup/central offices have TTY (Teletypewriter or Text Telephone)
machines to enable the deaf member to readily contact the A.A. community. Those who do not
have them use the Telecommunications Relay Service, which is offered in most communities.
Either way, there should be some training in the use of this equipment so that the communication
will be as smooth as possible for all concerned. They might also keep a list of deaf or hard
of hearing A.A. members who have TTY machines and would like to network with members.
If a deaf member comes to your group, put them in touch with someone who is
willing to keep in touch through the TTY or Relay Service. It is also helpful, when speaking,
to look directly at the deaf or hard of hearing member, since many are able to read lips. A.A.
groups with the help of local central office/intergroup or district or area committees can
initiate efforts to start new A.A. groups or meetings that are more accessible to deaf or hard
of hearing members.
Services and material available for the deaf and hearing impaired include the
Intergroup/Central Offices Directory (those with TTY equipment are noted); and a 5- volume
1/2" VHS video of Alcoholics Anonymous in ASL. Pamphlets rewritten for the deaf or
hearing-impaired alcoholic include “A Deaf Newcomer Asks,” “A Brief Guide to
Alcoholics Anonymous” “Translation of the Twelve Steps,” “Translation
of the Twelve Traditions,” and “Is A.A. For You?” Deaf members are welcome to
participate in the LIM. There is also an International Deaf Group by Mall listed under
“Special International Contacts” in the regional directories published by G.S.O.
For more detailed information see the A.A. Guidelines on Carrying the A.A. Message to the Deaf
Alcoholic.
One A.A. member reminded us that, in carrying the message to the deaf alcoholic,
“Try not to treat them as different or special, but allow them freedom to participate in
a typical A.A. meeting.
“The main thing to remember is that deaf alcoholics have the same problem
as anyone else. While we and they may come up with a thousand reasons why they are different,
let’s emphasize over and over “Don’t drink; Keep coming back.”
For the purpose of these guidelines we will use the term “deaf.”
There are other people who are hard of hearing, either permanently or temporarily. People who
are deaf or hard of hearing are all unique, and there is a variety of ways to communicate with
them: sign language, speechreading, writing, typing, and TTY, for example.
Often, sign language is the most effective way to communicate, and many groups
use sign language interpreters to help carry the message to deaf members. In a pinch, you can
try writing back and forth. But keep in mind that English is not the first language of many deaf
people—sign language is! So, whenever possible, use sign language—either directly
or through an interpreter. If you do have to write, keep it simple and brief. Encourage the
newcomer to take A.A. Iiterature and invite them to come to another meeting. A smile, a
handshake and a cup of coffee speak “the language of the heart,” which we can all hear.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
If there is a need for an interpreter try to arrange to have a sign
language interpreter at the meetings that deaf alcoholics attend. The deaf member may be able
to bring an interpreter. If not, try to make arrangements through a local agency or check with
your local special needs committee, intergroup or central office, general service district or
area committee to see if they have any experience with the situation.
Qualified interpreters are professional people who charge fees for their services.
Experience suggests that most groups will agree to having a non-A.A. attend its closed meetings
to act as interpreter for the deaf alcoholic. Professional ASL (American Sign Language)
interpreters adhere to a strict code of ethics, which assures the confidentiality of the A.A. meeting. Some A.A. groups cover this expense. Sometimes an agency will take care of the
expense. On occasion, local area committees, districts, and central/intergroup offices have
authorized payment for interpreters. Professional interpreters who are also A.A. members
sometimes are willing to volunteer their services. Occasionally advanced students of interpreting
will do the job at no fee for the experience gained. Be careful of placing too much reliance on
volunteers, as deaf members rely on these services and there should be stability in whether the
meeting is interpreted or not.
Experience shared with G.S.O. indicates that numerous areas have formed Special
Needs Committees and this experience seems to indicate that these committees can be a partial
solution to funding the cost of signers. Groups are encouraged to contribute and designate funds
for these committees. Sometimes a group will pay half of the cost for interpreters with the fund
providing the other half.
Whatever arrangements are made should be based on a group conscience decision
arrived at after full discussion at a business meeting. Is the group willing to cover the expense
of this service, or does it wish to appoint someone to contact the central office or a
professional agency about providing an interpreter? In order to welcome the deaf person and the
interpreter and make the newcomer feel that he or she is an important addition to the group, it
is important that a full consensus on these points be reached in advance. The interpreters should
be introduced to the group before meetings.
Initially it may be difficult to convey feelings through another person, so try
to communicate as directly as possible. It is important to have the deaf person’s
attention before speaking. He or she may need a wave of the hand, a tap on the shoulder or some
sort of signal that you wish to communicate. Many deaf people have some training or experience in
speechreading (also known as lipreading). However, this varies widely with individuals. Effective
speechreading also requires very specific conditions: the speaker should not be chewing gum or
eating, should not have an accent or a mustache, and there should be no back lighting. If a deaf
person indicates that he or she can speechread, try to follow these guidelines. Also, speak
slowly and clearly, but don’t exaggerate. Look directly at the person while speaking.
If you are called on to read something while an interpreter is signing, read
slowly and clearly. Try to furnish the interpreter with the text beforehand, as formal writing
is more difficult to interpret quickly.
OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
More and more dedicated A.A. members are committing themselves to learning
sign language in order to be more effective in communicating with the deaf A.A. member. Some
become proficient and are able to work with the deaf alcoholic as sponsors. Others learn enough
to greet and encourage the member to keep coming back. Those A.A. members who do not know sign
language can still communicate with our deaf friends by telephone. Some deaf people have TTY
(Teletypewriter or Text Telephone) equipment which allows them to communicate not only with
those with similar devices, but with the aid of a Telephone Relay Systems operator, they can
communicate with anyone. Information on this service can be found in the front section of your
phone book under “Services for People With Disabilities.” Give the deaf newcomer
the same care and concern that we would a hearing newcomer. If there is a Twelfth Step call to
be made, it is not necessary that both members be able to sign. We must remember that our A.A.
experience is the most important thing we have to share.
Many area, district and intergroup/central office newsletters publish information
about groups for the deaf. Meeting lists should note which meetings are interpreted.
SHARING BY MAIL
The International Deaf Group by Mail, listed in the front of all A.A.
directories, and the Loners/Internationalist Meeting (LIM), a bimonthly A.A. meeting by
mail, are other ways for deaf alcoholics to share their experience, strength and hope with
others. Some deaf members are in active communication through e-mail and online A.A. meetings.
One source for further information is the On-line Intergroup of A.A.
CATALOG OF A.A. MATERIAL FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
A catalog of A.A. material lists a wide range of literature and
audio-visual material for alcoholics with special needs.
Some A.A. literature cited as being most helpful for deaf alcoholics includes:
“Twelve Traditions Illustrated,” “Twelve Steps Illustrated,” “Is
A.A. for Me?,” “It Happened to Alice,” “What Happened to Joe?,”
and the A.A. Grapevine magazine. In addition, in response to requests for simplified material,
the following material is available in easy-to-read language: “Twelve Steps,”
“Twelve Traditions,” “A Brief Guide to A.A.,” “A Deaf Newcomer
Asks,” and “Is A.A. for You?”
ASL VIDEO CASSETTES
Alcoholics Anonymous, the Big Book, and Twelve
Steps and Twelve Traditions are available in American Sign Language (ASL) on video
cassette.
In addition, the videos “Young People and A.A.,” “Hope:
Alcoholics Anonymous,” “A.A.—Rap With Us,” and “It Sure Beats
Sitting in a Cell” are all closed-captioned for the deaf. All the G.S.O. television public
service announcements are captioned for the deaf.
Based on the response G.S.O. received from the professional agencies we
contacted, we encourage local P.l. and C.P.C. committees to contact agencies for deaf people
(often part of local agencies for the handicapped) and offer to put on an open A.A. meeting or
a Public Information meeting about Alcoholics Anonymous; also, to let them know about the A.A.
resources available.
Another project that has been suggested for P.l. committees is to take an A.A.
meeting to schools for deaf people and/or provide information and material about A.A. to such
schools. Often, local C.P.C. committees will exhibit A.A. Iiterature at conferences which
are focused on services for deaf people. Some C.P.C. service people also make presentations
about A.A. and available services to these types of conferences and professional meetings.
There are a number of social clubs and organizations for deaf people. If we can
make information available about what A.A. can offer the deaf alcoholics attending A.A. meetings
could become much less daunting for the potential member. These clubs can be reached through
the National Association for the Deaf or the National Fraternal Association for the Deaf.
A.A. EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
Deaf A.A. members may need a few special considerations when attending an
A.A. event. For those who have a fair amount of hearing and/or who read lips, seating near the
speaker may be all that is required. Others who are deaf may require the use of a sign language
interpreter. Here are some points to consider when planning a conference or meeting that will
be attended by deaf A.A.s.
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Reserve interpreters well ahead of time because they are in great demand.
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Budget the interpreting expenses. Find out early what the estimated cost will be, whether
by the hour or by the day. If you are holding concurrent workshops, you may need more than one
interpreter. If your event is small (and short) you may be fortunate to find a qualified
volunteer, but do not expect to rely on volunteers.
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In designating preferred seating for deaf members, cordon off the reserved area and clearly
indicate “Please reserve for deaf members,” and ask that people refrain from walking
in front of the section as it will cause the deaf members to be cut off from the speaker and the
interpreter.
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Sensitize workshop leaders and meeting chairpersons to the use of the interpreter. In this
way, those members who depend on the interpreter will not be deprived of opening remarks or
keynote speakers.
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Stick with your plans once you have announced that an event is to be interpreted. Deaf
people are very likely to travel far for the few events that are interpreted. If the event has
concurrent meetings and workshops, plan for the availability of at least one interpreter per
time block. Ask the deaf participants at the outset which workshops they plan to attend.
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If you are listing the event with the General Service Office, your local intergroup/central
office or in any A.A. publication, specify that it is sign language interpreted. If possible,
have a TTY. number that deaf people can call for more information.
CONCLUSION
A G.S.O. staff member who serves on the Special Needs assignment is
available as a resource and facilitates communication among local Special Needs Committees.
They ensure that inquiries from and about deaf alcoholics are given the proper information and
are referred to the local A.A. committee for further action.
For information on TTY equipment please check the Central Offices/lntergroup
Directory, which indicates those central offices with these special machines. We encourage you to keep us informed of your experience in trying to carry the
message to deaf alcoholics, so that we can continue to improve our services in this area. We
look forward to hearing from you, and wish you good luck in carrying the message to the
alcoholic who still suffers.
from "A.A. Guidelines/Carrying
the Message to the Deaf Alcoholic"
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