A so-called alternative is the use of various style sheets, but you will run into the same kind of browser compatability problems with them and they make the dullest, often hardest to read pages on the internet. It's much easier for old eyes to see, and much easier for the sight-impaired to see. For the most part, forms are not accessible for the blind or for some browsers or are very difficult to use. For short forms, such as search or inputing userid and password information, ask the question, then place the input line on the next line by itself. Radio and click buttons and pull down choice menus are not easily accessable for the blind.
Frames are pretty much a no-no.
Lower End browsers, including all but the latest lynx text browser, can't access frames pages at all and some whom are blind, sight impaired or otherwise disabled can not use frames pages or have a very difficult time with frames even if their browsers support them. I tried that, and few understood what the d stood for and resented being drawn to a short page describing a graphic they couldn't see. BUT, they do make a page easier to use for people with some learning disabilities. Italics are not easy to read when whole paragraphs or pages are in italics. Many browsers can not use Java script or applets and some browsers will crash when they encounter them.