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What is the Writers' Brigade?

The Writers' Brigade produces articles and other materials that explain the work of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement (AAC-RERC), while supporting the writing and publication of articles by individuals who rely on AAC. The Writers' Brigade project (WB) is a federally funded dissemination and training project within the AAC-RERC, administered by Augmentative Communication Inc. (ACI) and managed by Johana Schwartz. The AAC-RERC partners intend that the activities of the WB further the knowledge and interest of multiple stakeholder groups about current research related to AAC technologies and the work of the AAC-RERC.

Who is involved in the Writers' Brigade (WB)?

Each year (2004-2008), four to six individuals who rely on AAC are asked to participate in the AAC-RERC Writers' Brigade. WB participants work with Johana Schwartz, Writers' Brigade Project Manager, to develop their ability to write in various styles to produce articles and other descriptive materials about current research related to AAC technologies and the work of the AAC-RERC, for publication in various media.

What are the responsibilities of each Writers' Brigade (WB) participants?

Basic responsibilities include:

• Writing, editing and re-writing assigned articles about various AAC topics related to research, development, training and dissemination.
• Improving participants' ability to write in the styles of targeted publications.
• Participating in occasional discussions about the writing process with other participants in the WB.
• Providing feedback to ACI staff regarding the most effective ways to develop technical writing skills and support participants in the WB.
• Providing the AAC-RERC with information about the productivity of the Writers' Brigade and its outcomes over time.
• Responding in a timely manner to writing assignments.

Each Writers' Brigade works together for approximately one year and thus, will, no doubt, develop its own unique characteristics.

What are the responsibilities of the Project Manager and other ACI staff?

Project Manager. Johana Schwartz is a graduate of Stanford University, with a major in English Literature. She relies on AAC and other assistive technologies. She has great sensitivity to the many issues individuals who rely on AAC encounter during the writing process. She has mentored others who like to write and has experience supporting individuals who are developing writing skills. She will work with each individual to write, revise and complete articles. She will also work to develop each person's technical writing skills, so that each is able to write for different audiences/stakeholder groups.

ACI staff. The ACI staff that support Johana and the WB are Michal B. Williams, Carole Krezman, Harvey Pressman and Sarah Blackstone. Their responsibilities may include finding publishers for completed articles, providing technical assistance, editing, etc. All ACI staff members have extensive experience with the writing and publishing processes.

Where is the Writers' Brigade?

The Writers' Brigade is a virtual project. All participants and staff use the Internet to share work completed on their personal computers. Johana Schwartz uses email to communicate with WB participants on a regular basis. She uses the Writers' Brigade listserv to interact with the group from time to time on common issues and items of interest. The WB participants communicate with Johana via email. Articles are exchanged using Microsoft Word attachments to email messages.

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