Accessibility report on NERAASA 2017
To: Area 47 Central New York
From: Peter Gardiner, Area 47 Accessibility Chair
Re: NERAASA MEETING FEB. 24 – 26, 2017
I attend the 2017 NERAASA Assembly to learn what some of the other 18 Areas Accessibility Chairs are doing to help serve those who need Accessibility Services. I was very impressed with Area 30’s Accessibility capabilities. They are much further ahead of Area 47’s abilities to assist those that need accessibility support.
Their Accessibility Table was positioned at the entrance into the NERAASA Grand Ball Meeting Room, containing all of the accessibility volunteers and their equipment. I met with the Area 30 Eastern Massachusetts Accessibility Chair, to learn about all of the services they were able to offer those who were attending that required help some type. Area 30 had volunteers helping people to get to a seat, get headphones for either; those that had trouble hearing, or those that required English to Spanish translation, and people helping the deaf get seated so they could see the ASL Translators (American Sign Language). I was interested in the cost of the two separate headsets. The translation headset had four (4) channels so there could be up-to-four (4) languages. Area 30 E. Mass. and Area 11 W. Mass. worked together as Area 31 had 10 headsets and Area 30 owned 30 headsets; Area 30 encompasses Boston and has no issues with getting the money needed to be able to support Accessibility needs. I spoke to the Area 48 HMB Accessibility Chair Sally A., and she said she will bring the information to her Area Assembly and see if we could jointly do what Areas 30 and 11 are doing about the head sets. Sally A., HMB Accessibility Chair said they were just getting started with Accessibility, and she was the very first Accessibility Chair for area 48.
I participated in the Saturday Accessibility Roundtable in the evening after dinner. The Group was led by Patty S., Area 47 Past Delegate. Areas 31, 47, 48, and 49 were in attendance, and we each talked about our Areas Accessibility information. We exchanged forms we use, and this attendee sent the other Areas the ADA-ABA Federal Documents, and “Is your AA Meeting Handicapped Accessible?”; which was completed in 2010 by the Area 47 Accessibility Committee for Area 47’s use; this six (6) page document described the requirements an AA Group must meet to be Handicapped Accessible. It contained all of the pertinent drawings with dimensions; inclusive of entrances, ramps, elevators, bathrooms, halls, doors, and meeting areas.
I am glad I attend NERAASA 2017; it has given me a gauge to measure Areas Area 47’s Accessibility Committee needs.
Respectfully Submitted,
Peter G., Area 47 Accessibility Chair
Peter, thank you for posting an excellent report. At my first NERAASA in 2002, I was a treatment chair and I participated in what was the first ever accessibility roundtable. We were not a scheduled roundtable but we determined there was a need for one. We met in the lobby, next to a piano. Also,GSO, did not have a committee for accessibility. Your report demonstrates how far we have come as they now do. And Accessibility is a permanent roundtable at NERAASA. However, your report also shows how we must be continually improving in making A.A. accessible to all.