Deaf and Hard of Hearing AA 12 Steps Recovery Resources

Signage / Symbols & Meeting Codes
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Nationwide Accessibility Symbols

Meeting Description Codes

(ASL) meeting conducted in American Sign Language

(SI) Sign Interpreted   

(VI) Voice Interpreted (Meeting conducted in American Sign Language with an ASL interpreter to voice for hearing members)

(SIW) non-AA certified sign language interpreter welcome for Deaf AA members

(ALD’s) Assistive Listening Devices for the Hard of Hearing

(RTC) Real-time captioning/CART

(WA-PFR) Wheelchair Accessible Parking/Facility/Restroom

  (SB) Signage Braille 

(NS) Non-smoking

(S) Smoking

(O) OPEN MEETINGS: As the term suggests, meetings of this type are open to alcoholics and their families and to anyone interested in solving a personal drinking problem or helping someone else to solve such a problem.

(C) CLOSED MEETINGS: These meetings are limited to alcoholics. They provide an opportunity for members to share with one another on problems related to drinking patterns and attempts to achieve stable sobriety. They also permit detailed discussion of various elements in the recovery program

Note:  You would add any of the national symbols as needed for your meeting listings.

Nationwide Accessibility Symbols

Braille Symbol This symbol indicates that printed matter is available in Braille, including exhibition labeling, publications and signage.
Access to Low Vision This symbol may be used to indicate access for people who are blind or have low vision, including: a guided tour, a path to a nature trail or a scent garden in a park; and a tactile tour or a museum exhibition that may be touched.
Audio Description for TV, Video and Film This service makes television, video, and film more accessible for persons who are blind or have low vision. Description of visual elements is provided by a trained Audio Describer through the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) of televisions and monitors equipped with stereo sound. An adapter for non-stereo TVs is available through the American Foundation for the Blind, (800)829-0500.
Live Audio Description A service for people who are blind or have low vision that makes the performing and visual arts more accessible. A trained Audio Describer offers live commentary or narration (via headphones and a small transmitter) consisting of concise, objective descriptions of visual elements: for example, a theater performance or a visual arts exhibition at a museum.
Accessible Print The symbol for large print is 'Large Print' printed in 18 Point or larger text. In addition to indicating that large print versions of books, pamphlets, museum guides and theater programs are available, you may use the symbol on conference or membership forms to indicate that print materials may be provided in large print. Sans serif or modified serif print with good contrast is highly recommended, and special attention should be paid to letter and word spacing.
Accessible for Individuals with Mobility Loss The wheelchair symbol should only be used to indicate access for individuals with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. For example, the symbol is used to indicate an accessible entrance, bathroom or that a phone is lowered for wheelchair users. Remember that a ramped entrance is not completely accessible if there are no curb cuts, and an elevator is not accessible if it can only be reached via steps.
Sign Language Interpretation The symbol indicates that Sign Language Interpretation is provided for a lecture, tour, performance, conference or other program.
Assistive Listening Devices / Systems These systems transmit sound via hearing aids or head sets. They include infrared, loop and FM systems. Portable systems may be available from the same audiovisual equipment suppliers that service conferences and meetings.
Telephone Typewriter (TTY) Also known as text telephone (TT), or telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), TTY indicates a telephone device used with the telephone (and the phone number) for communication between deaf, hard of hearing, speech-impaired and/or hearing persons.
Volume Control Telephone This symbol indicates the location of telephones that have handsets with amplified sound and/or adjustable volume controls.

 

The Information Symbol The most valuable commodity of today's society is information; to a person with a disability it is essential. For example, the symbol may be used on signage or on a floor plan to indicate the location of the information or security desk, where there is more specific information or materials concerning access accommodations and services such as "LARGE PRINT" materials, audio cassette recordings of materials, or sign interpreted tours.
Real-time Captioning also known as Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART)  Services may be performed either on-site or from a remote location via a modem. As words are spoken, the real-time captions appear on a screen (computer/TV monitor or projected), affording the deafened and hard of hearing access to any event. Captions can be displayed for one person, an entire room, or broadcast to multiple locales, and the text is readily available for later use. How it works: Spoken language is recorded on computer-compatible court stenograph machine linked to an compatible computer by a machine shorthand reporter or steno typist. The computer is equipped with software that translates the steno writing into readable English text. The software maintains a customized stenographic dictionary that is updated by the captionist as new vocabulary is encountered. The text is stored in word processing files and is easily transferred to diskette, printed as notes, transmitted via e-mail, or incorporated into a database. Set up tips:  Provide the RTC with the meeting agenda and any terminology specific to AA.  Use PC projector and large viewing screen placed in a position in which there is good visibility.  It is sometimes helpful for the RTC to where an ALD to improve ability to hear what is being said.  As with using any form of translation/interpreters there is lag time between what is spoken and what is translated/interpreted.  It is best to remind the people who will be speaking to slow the pace down, take brief pauses, and when reading any formal written document to read slowly.  Note:  People read at a faster pace than normal speech.