District 42, through its Special Needs Committee, constantly works to improve and maintain accessibility for persons with special needs. The Special Needs Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at Caribou Coffee, Waugh Chapel Center, Gambrills.
Special Needs Workshop
The committee chair participated in a workshop on addressing special needs at the local level, presented by the Area 29 Special Needs Committee at the August 2010 Area Assembly. The workshop provided guidance on determining whether meeting places are accessible for people with various special needs, actions to take in getting a committee or project started, and reviewed materials available from the A.A. General Service Office (GSO) at www.aa.org . All districts and groups were encouraged to form special needs committees or have a contact person knowledgeable in assuring special needs accessibility and to have literature on hand to meet special needs. An enthusiastic and informative question and answer period followed.
Persons with Reading Difficulties
The District 42 Special Needs Committee is exploring ideas for outreach to A.A. members, both newcomers and "old-timers," who have difficulty in reading. Some ideas under consideration are for GSRs to encourage their home groups to purchase an audio copy of the "Big Book" Alcoholics Anonymous on CD and for groups, districts, and intergroups to donate copies to local libraries and corrections and treatment facilities. A flyer has been prepared to help with this effort.
Accessibility of Meetings
As a result of a survey conducted by the Special Needs Committee, the Groups page of this website indicates which District 42 meetings are wheelchair accessible. The committee has assisted the Area 29 Special Needs Committee in developing a checklist that groups can use in determining how well their meeting places meet the special needs of people who may attend their meetings. The checklist is now being prepared for distribution.
Senior Outreach
Assisted Living and Nursing Homes
The district is interested in helping to make A.A. available to alcoholic seniors who are unable to attend meetings without assistance. The Special Needs committee recently sent a letter to eleven assisted living facilities and four nursing homes offering guidance and support in helping alcoholic residents join or remain in the fellowship of other recovering alcoholics, regardless of their circumstances, to achieve and maintain sobriety. A follow-up letter has now been mailed, with a packet containing a back issue of The Grapevine; the pamphlets AA for the Older Alcoholic, How AA Members Cooperate with Professionals, and A Newcomer Asks; and a list of meetings in District 42. The committee also plans to contact the Maryland Department of Aging to discuss carrying the message to members of Senior Centers.
Senior Residential Communities
At its most recent meeting the Special Needs Committee discussed contacting local senior communities to offer information on the availability access to A.A. in the areas. Check back for more developments in this effort.
Alcoholics Anonymous for Spanish Speakers
People with limited English skills have a difficult time participating in A.A. meetings in District 42. The Special Needs Committee is exploring resources for improving the availability of A.A. for speakers of Spanish. The committee is investigating ways to help Spanish-speaking A.A.s to find Spanish language meetings and is contacting other districts for insight on what measures they have taken.
The committee has contacted the Spanish-speaking AA community to obtain information on helping alcoholics to find Spanish language meetings.
If you are bilingual or know someone who is please contact the Special Needs Committee chair by email specialneeds@mdaadistrict42.org or write to:
District 42
P.O. Box 3161
Crofton, MD 21114
to find out how you can help.