separator question with speech

[smithj7]

I'm still working on the new web design for Florida Blind Services. I've been diligently reading articles about issues that could improve usability of our site. The use of separators and speech is one of these items. I have a few baby questions that I still need help on.

One of the suggestions I found was to use a "right only" border within an css style sheet. I actually liked the idea of using a border in the css style sheet for a separator of links in my required footer (look of footer established by Parent Organization). Worked fine, till I checked site without css style sheet. Text without separators for sighted persons won't be approved by my parent organization if the style sheet doesn't display. One of the my co-workers that uses speech suggested using a graphic (surrounded by white space) as a separate, but with the alt being the double quote with no speech on graphic. He says he just wants the links and doesn't care how they are set up on a page. I guess in this case the separator is more for the sighted world.

I've also read up about the separators for bread crumbs. I liked the idea of using a graphic rather than the greater than symbol. I liked one of the suggestions of to use "Now at" for a graphic alt text. But should I put the "Now at" label on each of the bread crumb separators? Seems like that could also be a pain for a speech user: e.g. Home link Now at Business Enterprises link Now at Business Opportunities link Now at Facility 533 Announcement.

Would like to hear more suggestions on this topic. My current table driven site is at http://dbs.myforida.com/ I must have the header and footer and look of feel of parent organization. (Select DOE link from my site and select any link and you will see that we are very limited when it comes to LOOK and FEEL of a site).