I have started using ajax/jQuery in our websites / application. There are many plugins that support degrading the javascript to browsers that dont have javascript enabled an
It depends on what you are doing. Is it a website or web application?
A website can be done with just static html and, if needed something a little more complex, a little bit of server side programming.
A web application, today, is all about javascript. So if your visitors have js disabled, they are likely not interested in your application nor any other. So why bother with them?
Just concentrate in the other 98%, where your potential customers/audience is.