Hi,
It is possible to use Javascript in a more accessible way using the progressive enhancement model and unobtrusive techniques.
The basic premise is that you use fully functional HTML and add additional functionality using javascript.
Check out this lightbox clone as an example.
With javascript on, you get a nice pop-up effect. With javascript off, you get a normal image link with a title which is keyboard accessible too.
In your specific example, I would create a normal, fully functional link to the new page. I'd then write a bit of JS (without using onclick, onhover, or any stuff like that) which would 'catch' the event and do something a little different if javascript was switched on.
For example, something like this (using jQuery for convenience):
<!-- in the <head> element, or a separate file-->
<script type="text/javascript">
$('#myLink').click(function(e){
e.preventDefault(); // stop the link from doing what it should naturally be doing
openImgWin('list', 'of', 'your', 'arguments');
})
</script>
<!--somewhere in your page-->
<a id="myLink" href="myimage-big.jpg"><img src="myimage.jpg" alt="my image" /></a>
Javascript doesn't have to be inaccessible, and it doesn't have to use ugly markup, but a little thought needs to be put into how best to use it.
Like every other tool we use on the web, it can be used well, or it can be used badly. Hope there's some food for thought somewhere in there. 
