Some AA members have asked whether the Portland Deaf Access Committee is part of Oregon Area 58 or the Accessibility Committee. Here’s a reply from Madeleine P., Area 58 Past Delegate, Past Pacific Regional Trustee, and PDAC Fundraising Chair
I wanted to take a moment to speak to who Portland Deaf Access Committee are and where they fit in the service structure. Yes, Accessibilities definitely involves deaf and hard of hearing members, but it does not solve the problem or logistics of scheduling and funding ASL interpreters in our geographical area. They can refer those members in need to the service entities, such as PDAC, who might be able to help connect them with a meeting with ASL. Don’t let the name mislead you-their non-profit status notes Portland but it encompasses and continues to grow to include more than just the Portland Metro Area.
Established in 2001, the Portland Deaf Access Committee (PDAC) is a group of AA members who work together to help make AA in the Portland Metro Area and other surrounding areas accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing alcoholics. We follow AA’s 12 Traditions and are not affiliated with any other organization. Our primary purpose is to support AA groups and members in carrying the message to Deaf and Hard of Hearing alcoholics. Our work is in keeping with the guidelines from the General Service Office (GSO).
In short, our deaf and hard of hearing members are part of the forgotten ones. GSO cannot provide ASL services for deaf members in need. Our Area does not have the capacity to perform this work either. PDAC is a group of AA members, some deaf and hard of hearing, some not, who strive to make ASL available to those in need of those services, who otherwise, would not have access to AA.
I am not specifically asking the districts to contribute but I am asking that they share the information and the need. Putting all of the burden on a small geographic area is burdensome. “Many hands make light work.” If we all pitch in a little, we can accomplish big things. It is similar to the World Service Meetings and the International Literature Fund, where established general service structures contribute so that we can provide literature to those structures who are struggling or just starting out. Although I may not need literature in a different language, there are those who do and we have the opportunity to bring AA’s message thru that process.
Although AA has been around since 1935, the solution to providing access to deaf members remains non-existent in most areas, mostly due to the financial obstacles in doing so. PDAC has been unique in developing a structure to do this work but it relies on the contributions of the fellowship in order to fulfill its mission.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions. I am willing to discuss and answer any concerns or questions: email to past-pacific-regional-trustee@aa-oregon.org