A.A.’s 3rd Tradition says that “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.” An access need is an element that, if unmet, imposes for the person with that need a barrier to a location, or an event, or a fellowship. Some examples of access needs are wheelchair accessible entrances and restrooms, sufficient lighting (for reading and lip reading), child-care, virtual meetings, sign language, captioning.
Unmet access needs in A.A. become additional requirements for membership under Tradition 3. Accessibility is as much about design as it is about ability. We change the things we can. Progress rather than perfection…
Some common conditions that encounter barriers to AA membership:
- Blindness and Vision Impairment
- Deafness and Hearing Impairment
- Mobility and Physical Disabilities
- Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain
- Developmental Disabilities
- Parents and Caregivers
- Loners, Homers, and Elderly
- Limited Transportation
- Use of Service Dogs
Area 51 Accessibilities Workshop Series – Audio Recordings
- Episode 1 – August 11, 2024
- “Visual Impairment“; Brenna O.
- “Navigating Sobriety with Mental Illness“; Alice R. and Buffy D.
- “Q&A Both Topics“
- Episode 2 – December 1, 2024
- “Safety & Inclusion“; Bonnie R.
- “Sobriety After The Age Of 60: Viewpoints From An Old-timer and A Newcomer“; Celeste W. and Barbara B.
- Episode 3 – March 16, 2025
- “Childcare and Child Friendly Meetings“; Celeste W., Alice R., Greg W.
- “How to start an Accessibilities Committee“; Carolyn O., Scott S.
- Episode 4 – July 20, 2025
- Episode 5 – October 5, 2025
- “AA Grapevine – Carrying the message to EVERY Alcoholic“; Don M.
- “Neurodivergent in AA“; Samara, Six H.
- Episode 6 – April 19, 2026“
- “Navigating Sobriety with Chronic Pain”; Tim F., Terri W.
- “Maintaining My Recovery During a Sudden Onset Disability”; Alan G., Rose C.
Accessibilities Committee Meetings
Area 51 Accessibilities Publications
AA Accessibilities Resources
- Accessibilities Checklist for Meetings and Groups
- Accessibilities Workbook
- List of AA Accessibilities Resources
- All Accessibilities Committee – A nationwide committee of Accessibilities in A.A. workers sharing experience, plus a HUGE amount of accessibility resources.
- DeafAA.org – Alcoholism recovery community of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late-deafened alcoholics who have the desire to stop drinking. Also a directory of Deaf AA and ASL interpreted AA meetings in US/Canada.
- Accessible Event Planning
- Disability Etiquette
AANC