From Portland Deaf Access Committee
Dear AA Groups,
If you are approached by a Deaf person who wants to attend your meeting, PDAC is here to help. Please reach out to us through email pdxaccess@gmail.com. We can help to arrange a certified ASL interpreter who is familiar with AA concepts, our language of the heart, our tradition of anonymity, and who is vetted by our Deaf members as having the right skills and attitude to do this work.
PDAC pays interpreters directly at no cost to your meeting. We do gladly accept contributions from members, groups, and districts to continue to carry the message to the Deaf alcoholic who still suffers, thus fulfilling our Responsibility Statement.
Of course, any meeting is welcome to hire an interpreter directly and pay that person, independently. If your group chooses to do this, we strongly encourage you to work with the Deaf people who attend your meeting in order to find interpreters who are well qualified to do this special work.
PDAC maintains a list of qualified, certified AA interpreters, as well as a document of our interpreter policies. We are happy to share either or both with members and groups.
Thank you for your support in ensuring that Deaf alcoholics receive the message of AA.
Yours in love and service,
Portland Deaf Access Committee of AA
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