Deaf and Hard of Hearing AA 12 Steps Recovery Resources

AA Material for Deaf & HoH Members
[Disclaimer]

ASL Videotapes     Closed Captioned Videotapes     Easy-To-Read Literature

Miscellaneous     AA Guidelines     Service Material

Literature Catalogs     Ordering Information     AA Meetings In Print

ASL Videotapes

Below is a list of the AA literature that has been translated into American Sign Language.

• (VS-1)    Alcoholics Anonymous (First 164 pages only - Big Book) in American Sign Language (ASL) - 5 volume set 1/2"-VHS $38.00

• (VS-3)    Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in American Sign Language (ASL) - 5 volume set 1/2"-VHS $35.00

Closed Captioned in English $15.00 Each     

• (VS-16)    Hope:  Alcoholics Anonymous explains the principle of AA:  What AA is and isn't, primary purpose, sponsorship, home group, the Steps and Traditions and basic recovery tools.  1/2"VHS

• (VS-11)    It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell Filmed inside correctional facilities in the US and Canada, this 17-minute film tells the story of four young AAs who were in prison as a result of drinking, yet today are sober in AA. 1/2"VHS

• (VS-25)    Carrying the Message Behind These Walls Used to encourage AAs to become involved in Correctional Facilities work. 15 minutes 1/2" VHS

• (VS-8)    Young People and AA In this 28-minute film, young AA members describe what it was like drinking, what happened to bring them to AA and what there lives are like sober today.  In keeping with AA tradition, the identity of the AA members is protected. 1/2"VHS

• (VS-13)    AA Rap With US features four anonymous young AA members.  Rap music and lyrics bridge these four young people's stories of alcoholic despair and AA recovery. 1/2"VHS

• All TV public service announcements are available with closed-captioning.

Easy to Read Literature

• (P-36)     Is AA for Me Based on the 12 questions in "Is AA for you?", this  32-page pamphlet is an illustrated, easy to read version. .25 each.  

• (P-55)     Twelve Steps Illustrated  An easy to read version of AA Twelve Steps. Step appears at top of each page with simplified text under picture. .30 each 

• (P-43)     Twelve Traditions Illustrated Based on the Grapevine series: presents both the spirit and the practical application of our traditions.  .45 each  

• (P-80)     Twelve Concepts Illustrated  Brief, easy-to-read test with illustrations.  .45 each

• (P-39)      What Happened to Joe  Story of a young construction worker and his drinking problem, told in brightly colored "comic book" style. .25 each

• (P-37)    Too Young?  With a full-color cover, this cartoon-format pamphlet speaks to teenagers in their own language, telling the varied drinking stories of six young people (age 13-18) and showing their welcome to AA.  .25 each

• (F-9)    A message to Teenagers  Flyer adapted from the pamphlet "Too Young?"; for PI, in schools. Free

• (P-33)    It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell  An illustrated pamphlet which presents the experience of seven inmates who found AA while in prison.  It offers suggested dos and don'ts for staying sober after release. .25 each

Miscellaneous  

• Directory of AA Central Offices, Intergroups, and Answering Services for the US and Canada listed with GSO The directory Indicates the offices with TTY/TDD equipment (F-25) Free

• The following AA Conference-approved literature has been revised so that is can be more easily read by people who are Deaf or for signing purposes:  American Sign Language (ASL) is NOT a written language.  For many individuals who's primary language is ASL the syntax of standard English can be very difficult to understand.  The below translations are only a guide to help individuals better understand the concepts in each pamphlet.  We hope that GSO will eventually have the below literature on video tape in American Sign Language.

  • When you order these from GSO you need to be clear that you want the revised version for Deaf AA members!!  They will send you one free copy of each.

    • "A Deaf New Comer Asks"

    • "Is AA for You"

    • "How it Works"

    • The Twelve Steps

    • The Twelve Traditions (short form)

    • The Twelve Traditions (long form)

    • The Serenity Prayer

    • "A Brief Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous"

AA Guidelines 

•  Service For Members /AA Guidelines http://www.aa.org/en_services_for_members.cfm?PageID=36 

  •  Serving Alcoholics with Special Needs (Access Needs)

  •   Carrying the Message to the Deaf alcoholic

  •  Conference and Convention Roundups

Service Material

(F-107) "Serving Alcoholics with Special Needs" Service Piece (FREE)

Other Service Material From GSO

Literature Catalogs Free from GSO

• (F-10SN) AA Literature and Audiovisual Material for Special Needs.  

• (F-10) Conference Approved Literature & other Service Material 

• (FS-10) Spanish Literature Catalog  

For orders or information, contact:

• Write: General Service Office, PO Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY  10163 

• E-mail:  orders@aa.org 

• Phone:  Call the Order Entry Department weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM Eastern time:  1 212 870 3312.

AA Meetings In Print

• Box 4-5-9 is a bimonthly bulletin from the U.S./Canada General Service Office. This newsletter includes information about A.A. service, literature, and events, sharing from groups, service committees and individual U.S./Canada A.A. members.

• AA Grapevine 

• AA Loners Internationalists Meeting Newsletter:  An AA meeting-by-mail for Loners, Internationalists, and other AA's who cannot attend regular AA meetings. For a copy of the newsletter please write and request: (F-18) Loners International Meeting Newsletter 

  • Write: Attention: Special Needs, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163

  • E-mail: lim@aa.org.

  • Phone: 1-212-870-3312 Voice Call weekdays from 8:00 PM to 4:45 PM Eastern Time. 24 hour fax line: 1-800-437-3584; 1-212-870-3137