1. AudioEye drops lawsuit against Adrian Roselli: On January 3, 2024, Adrian Roselli, a prominent figure in the digital accessibility community, announced on his blog that AudioEye, a company specializing in digital accessibility overlays, has dropped its lawsuit against him. The suit, which had drawn considerable attention within the accessibility community, was perceived by many as a strategic attempt to silence criticism and debate around the efficacy of accessibility overlays. Roselli’s outspoken critique of such overlays, including those offered by AudioEye, has been a part of his advocacy for more effective and comprehensive accessibility solutions. The dismissal of the lawsuit is seen as a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about the best practices for digital accessibility and underscores the importance of open discourse in this field. (Adrian Roselli Blog)
  2. Upcoming ADA Virtual Conference: The 2024 Americans with Disabilities Act Virtual Conference will be addressing critical issues in accessibility and inclusive policy developments. (Public Health Institute)
  3. Advancements in Dental Care Accessibility: Dentsply Sirona announced a partnership with iADH to increase dental care access for people living with disabilities. This collaboration supports the University of Pennsylvania’s Care Center for Persons with Disabilities, providing customized oral health care treatment and equipping operatories with necessary tools. (AEGIS dental network)
  4. Technological Innovations: Developments in AI and assistive technologies continue to shape digital accessibility. There’s a trend towards autonomous assistive vehicles and customization in assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs tailored to individual needs. Additionally, brain-machine interfaces are being explored for users with impaired movement. (AAL-Persona)
  5. Legal Updates: There are 19 new laws, ordinances, or regulations effective in the first quarter of 2024, impacting disability management programs. These include changes in paid sick leave, leaves of absence, and workers’ compensation across various states like California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Illinois. (Disability Management Employer Coalition)