Breaking Barriers: AA's Journey to Inclusivity for Deaf Members
Episode Overview
Marie shares her journey as a deaf alcoholic in AA. Discussion on the new ASL playlist on YouTube. Challenges and advances in making AA accessible for deaf members. The importance of service work in personal recovery. Benefits of online meetings for increased accessibility.
I don't know the answer, but we'll figure it out together
In this episode of AA Grapevine's Podcast, Don and Sam welcome Marie, a deaf member of AA, and Teddy, a Director on the AA Grapevine Board. Together, they dive into the new American Sign Language (ASL) playlist on the AA Grapevine and La Viña Channel on YouTube. Marie shares her personal journey, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced as a deaf alcoholic in AA.
She recounts an incident where she was asked to leave a meeting because her interpreter wasn't an AA member, sparking her mission to educate others about the importance of accessibility. Teddy and Marie discuss ongoing efforts to make AA more inclusive for deaf members, including the creation of ASL content and the benefits of online meetings. The episode also touches on the broader theme of service work and its impact on personal recovery.
A bonus segment at the end explores various ways members can get involved in service work to enhance their sobriety journey. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of overcoming barriers and the power of community support in recovery.