Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Louise-Esperance Honore

Erik Kroes 👀 @erikkroes.bsky.social · Jul 14

80% of 18- to 24-year-olds use subtitles.

But keep saying how accessibility is only for a small group of people. 😬

www.stagetext.org/news/yougov-...

YouGov survey supports Stagetext's findings - Stagetext

YouGov reinforces Stagetext survey that found 80% of 18- to 24-year-olds ‘use subtitles some or all of the time watching TV on any device’.

www.stagetext.org

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 30

First newsletter of July drops this Wednesday! We'll be diving into prepaid annual subscriptions and financial modeling for cash flow enhancement. What questions do you have about optimizing subscription revenue? #SubscriptionBusiness #CashFlowStrategy #SaaSFinance

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 30

July preview: Next month's Startup Spectrum newsletters will explore subscription revenue optimization, international market entry strategies, B Corp conversion timelines, and founder mental health protocols. #JulyPreview #StartupSpectrum #FounderResources

Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 29

As June comes to a close, we've covered everything from alternative funding sources to digital accessibility. Which Startup Spectrum topic resonated most with you this month? #StartupSpectrum #FounderEducation #MonthlyReflection

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 29

Design principle: When information is conveyed visually in dashboards, always provide alternative text descriptions of the insights, not just descriptions of the chart elements. Focus on making the meaning accessible, not just the components. #DataAccessibility #ChartAlternatives #a11y

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 28

Business case: Accessible products reach larger markets, face fewer legal risks, and often provide better experiences for all users. The ROI extends far beyond compliance to genuine competitive advantage. #AccessibilityROI #MarketExpansion #InclusiveDesign

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 28

Weekend reflection: Progressive enhancement should be the foundation of accessible design. Build core functionality that works with keyboards and screen readers first, then layer visual enhancements on top. #ProgressiveEnhancement #AccessibleDevelopment #WebDesign

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 27

User testing truth: Automated accessibility tools catch only about 30% of screen reader issues. There is no substitute for testing with actual assistive technology users for truly accessible experiences. #AccessibilityTesting #UserResearch #InclusiveDesign

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 27

Accessibility insight: Screen reader users navigate primarily via headings and landmarks. Structuring your content with proper semantic HTML creates a better experience than visual design alone. #a11y #SemanticHTML #DigitalAccessibility

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 27

Common dashboard elements like data visualizations, drag-and-drop interfaces, and modal windows present unique accessibility challenges. The newsletter includes code examples and testing protocols for each. #StartupSpectrum #AccessibleUX

Screen Reader Optimization: Making Your SaaS Dashboard Truly Accessible

After four years of advising startups on inclusion and accessibility, I've noticed a troubling pattern: most SaaS companies slap on basic accessibility features as an afterthought, checking boxes for legal compliance rather than creating genuinely accessible experiences.

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 27

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes bridge the gap between complex web interfaces and assistive technologies. Proper implementation requires both technical knowledge and user testing. #WebAccessibility #ARIA #a11y

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 27

Just published for Advocacy Friday! Today's newsletter tackles Screen Reader Optimization - making your SaaS dashboard truly accessible to all users. Digital accessibility is both ethical practice and smart business. 🧵👇 #StartupSpectrum #AccessibleTech #ScreenReaders

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 26

Tomorrow's advocacy newsletter tackles screen reader optimization for SaaS dashboards. Digital accessibility is both ethical practice and smart business, ensuring all users can effectively navigate your product. #DigitalAccessibility #ScreenReaders #InclusiveDesign

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 26

IP strategy is critical for SBIR/STTR applicants. Government funding comes with specific intellectual property considerations that differ from private investment. Understanding these nuances protects your innovation's long-term value. #IntellectualProperty #GrantFunding #DeepTechIP

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 26

Strategic grant planning: Phase I SBIR establishes feasibility, while Phase II funds prototype development. Structure your research plan to deliver compelling Phase I results that position you strongly for the larger Phase II funding. #SBIRPhases #FundingStrategy #RDPlanning

Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 25

Beyond the funding: SBIR/STTR grants provide validation and credibility that can be leveraged for future fundraising. The government's rigorous review process serves as powerful technical due diligence for later investors. #NonDilutiveFunding #InvestorRelations #StartupCredibility

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 25

SBIR tip: Before submitting your first application, request sample funded proposals through a Freedom of Information Act request. This reveals exactly what successful applications look like for your target agency. #SBIR #GrantWriting #FundingStrategy

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 25

The application process requires different writing approaches than pitching investors. The newsletter includes templates, reviewer criteria, and common pitfall avoidance strategies developed from successful applications. #StartupSpectrum #GrantWriting

SBIR/STTR Grants: Application Strategies for First-Time Scientific Founders

As someone who's guided multiple scientific founders through the funding maze, I've seen firsthand how transformative SBIR and STTR grants can be.

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 25

Success rates vary significantly between agencies (NIH, NSF, DOD, etc.). Targeting the right agency and program for your specific innovation dramatically improves your odds of funding. #SBIR #GrantStrategy

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 25

Just published! Today's Startup Spectrum newsletter provides SBIR/STTR Grant application strategies for first-time scientific founders. These programs offer crucial non-dilutive funding for early R&D. 🧵👇 #StartupSpectrum #SBIR #NonDilutiveFunding

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 24

Question for scientific founders: If you've applied for SBIR/STTR funding, what was your biggest challenge in the process? What would you do differently next time? Gathering insights for tomorrow's newsletter. #SBIR #DeepTech #FounderExperiences

Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 24

Grant funding truth: SBIR/STTR success rates vary dramatically between agencies (NIH, NSF, DOD, etc.). Targeting the right agency and program for your specific innovation dramatically improves your odds of funding. #SBIR #GrantStrategy #FundingSuccess

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 23

Did you know SBIR/STTR programs award over $3.5 billion annually to innovative small businesses? Yet many qualified founders never apply due to perceived complexity of the process. #SBIR #ResearchFunding #DeepTechStartups

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Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 23

Monday motivation: "The funding mechanism should match your innovation timeline." For deep tech and scientific startups, non-dilutive grant funding aligns perfectly with early R&D phases before private capital makes sense. #MondayMotivation #GrantFunding #DeepTech

Louise-Esperance Honore @louiseesperance.bsky.social · Jun 22

Looking ahead to next week's newsletter on SBIR/STTR grants. These non-dilutive funding sources can be game-changers for science and technology startups, providing early R&D capital without equity dilution. #NonDilutiveFunding #SBIR #DeepTechStartups

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