Audrey Riffenburgh is president of Plain Language Works, LLC, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is also co-founder of the Health Literacy Institute in Maine. Since 1994, she has guided professionals in the medical, public health, and disability communities in reaching their audiences with clear and effective communications.
Audrey’s passion for this work grew from her experiences in adult basic education (ABE) and ESL programs at the national, state, and local levels. Her background in ABE provided the connections for the earliest initiatives bringing health professionals and adult learners together.
Audrey’s areas of focus include:
- Consulting on addressing health literacy challenges
- Consulting on creating an organizational culture of plain language
- In-depth training in developing plain language print and web materials
- Field testing materials with diverse audiences
- Creating and editing low literacy and plain language materials in English and Spanish
- Presenting at national and international plain language conferences
Projects undertaken by Audrey and Plain Language Works include:
- Serving as contributing author and plain language editor for Plain Language Pediatrics, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Developing the Quick ReadSM line of brochures for Hope Health
- Conducting a national field test of poison safety materials in English and Spanish
- Training a state-wide disability rights agency in plain language publications
- Consulting and training as a Pfizer Health Literacy Visiting Lecturer seven times from 2002 through 2006
Audrey holds a Master of Arts in adult learning and is pursuing a doctoral degree in health communication.
