RESOURCES FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

AA Literature in ASL

PLEASE NOTE: These are official translations from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services

• AA Big Book in ASL (contains the Preface and the Forewords thru Dr. Bob’s Nightmare, as well as the appendices, and the short form of the 12 Concepts for World Service)

• AA 12 Steps and 12 Traditions in ASL (full book)

AA Speaker Tapes interpreted in ASL

• AMOT (acronym for A Meeting On Tape) - Deaf & HOH Recovery Library

  *Not an official AA resource

Additional AA Resources for the Deaf

• AA Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous - The Plain Language Big Book is a tool to help readers understand the book Alcoholics Anonymous, which was first published in 1939. This new book is designed so that the A.A. Twelve Step program of recovery from alcoholism may be easily understood by all people who have a desire to stop drinking.

  The Plain Language Big Book has been written to present the original ideas and same spiritual message of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous in simpler language. The Plain Language Big Book covers the core content of what is the “abridged version” (the edition without personal stories) of the original Big Book.

  This book is General Service Conference-approved literature.

• Portland Deaf Access Committee - Resources and Tips page

• Deaf AA/Portland Deaf Access Committee - Online ASL Meeting List

• Central Texas Deaf Intergroup - Resources page

• Central Texas Deaf Intergroup - Online ASL Meeting List

  • PLEASE NOTE: This list covers MANY different fellowships, so make sure you’re on the correct tab in the spreadsheet for the fellowship you’re looking for.

• ASL District 8 (Area 36, Southern MN) - in an ASL-friendly copy of the 12 Steps and "How It Works"

• Southern Wisconsin Deaf Access Committee - doesn’t appear to still be active

RESOURCES FOR GROUPS AND HEARING PEOPLE

• What to Expect When You're Expecting an ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreter at Your Meeting

  • This was written by NYCDAC as a resource for groups/meetings that are going to have an ASL interpreter for the first time or are just otherwise looking to make their meeting a little more Deaf-friendly. Feel free to share this link with any meeting chairs/secretaries, etc!

• Click here to download a flyer featuring tips on how to make your meeting more accessible to the Deaf. You can print copies to keep at the literature table at your meeting!

• You can learn even more about how to be a better ally to the community on the Tips and FAQ page

• A.A. Guidelines on Sharing the A.A. Message with the Alcoholic Who Is Deaf (Pamphlet MG-13)

  • Last updated June 2019 - contains this VERY helpful piece of guidance "It is desirable to use professional interpreters to insure reliability and expertise/proficiency. Knowing ASL is not the same as being an interpreter who is trained and qualified [and certified] to effectively translate between languages and cultures."

RESOURCES FOR INTERPRETERS

NYC Deaf Access Committee - Interpreter Onboarding Document and Prep Info