Answers:
Your question is an interesting one because the headline asks one thing--and your explanation discusses something different.
1. Does anyone think being ABLE TO SPELL (emphasis mine) is important anymore? I do not believe being able to spell is as important as it once was.
2. ...spelling is atrocious.... I DO however believe that proper spelling is important. People make judgments (right or wrong) about our intellect based upon how we present ourselves in communication.
This is true of both written and oral communication. If I'm well spoken and have a smooth [keyboard], I will tend to be judged as intelligent. If, on the other hand, my words are laced with profanity or my writing is littered with grammar errors and misspellings, people will assume I have less intelligence.
Spelling is important. Being able to spell (unaided) is probably not as important as it once was. I went to Catholic grade school AND use spellchecker...trying to cover all my bases.
Sorry for the all caps Sister...this thing doesn't have italics or underline.
TEACHME