Yes, we still need backup code for people who have JavaScript disabled.
- JavaScript is often used to do things that break in screen readers (so many screen reader users disable it) or to cause changes to appear out of sight of a screen magnifier.
- JavaScript is still one of the biggest attack vectors to exploit security holes in browsers.
- Add-ons such as No-Script are increasing in popularity.
- Search engines tend not to execute it (so you don’t want to hide your content behind it)
I prefer to think of it as a foundation rather than backup.
I understand about visually impaired users, but do people care (harsh, yes) if their experience is buggy?
Nasty people don’t.
The law (in many jurisdictions) does.
Not to sound disrespectful, but not sticking to strict standards will alienate people using Internet Explorer 4 and 5 too, but we don’t seem to care about them…?
IE 4/5 have:
- a smaller market share than users without JS
- many security holes
- no support from their own publisher