Karen F.
Accessibilities-Remote Communities (ARC)
Support the work of individual A.A. members and groups endeavoring to ensure that those with accessibility concerns, including those who live in underserved or remote communities, have access to the A.A. message.
(From BM-31: The A.A. Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts for World Service, 2021-2023)
Accessibilities Committees explore, develop, and offer resources to alcoholics with significant barriers to receiving the Alcoholics Anonymous message and to participating in our program of recovery. We want A.A. to be available to all alcoholics who reach out for it.
While we all need to access, receive and carry the message of recovery and wish to have the same measure of privileges and responsibilities with regard to Twelfth Step work, sponsorship, and speaking at A.A. and non-A.A. meetings as other members, for some there are significant barriers that must be overcome to insure full participation in A.A.
Accessibility challenges apply to all alcoholics who have difficulties participating in Alcoholics Anonymous, whether those are mental, physical, geographic, cultural, or other factors that vary among people. Some of these alcoholics may experience barriers to accessing the A.A. message, including the literature, meetings, Twelfth Step work, and the service structure.
Whatever the access barrier may be, the goal of our members and especially those who serve on Accessibilities Committees, is to find solutions to help ensure every alcoholic can participate in A.A. meetings, Twelfth Step work, and A.A. service.
Many A.A. members live in underserved or Remote Communities — communities that are difficult to reach because of geography, language, or culture. It could be a community that is remotely situated, or right around the corner.
All suffering alcoholics should be afforded the opportunity to receive the A.A. message and participate in the A.A. program of recovery. There are A.A. members and groups committed to seeking solutions to ensure access. In areas where these populations are not being reached, Accessibilities-Remote Communities Committees may support such A.A. members in a number of ways.
(From M-48i: Accessibilities Committee Workbook)