diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index a40a02b..31ff190 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ This repository contains the McCullough Digital block theme. The notes below sum
 4. **Always** update `AGENTS.md`, `bug-report.md`, and `readme.txt` to reflect any bug fixes or improvements.
 
 ## Bug Fix & Improvement Highlights
+-### Latest (2025-11-11) - Hero Media Accessibility Sweep
+- **Responsive Hero Imagery:** Updated `blocks/hero/render.php` to prefer attachment IDs so WordPress emits responsive `srcset` markup, lazy-loading, and the saved alt text whenever editors provide it.
+- **Static CTA Readability:** Removed `aria-hidden` from CTA fallbacks, toned down `.is-static` styling in both CSS bundles, and kept service card copy visible to assistive technology whenever no link is set.
+- **Home Seeding Guard:** Adjusted `mcd_maybe_seed_home_page()` to skip trashed "Home" pages and continue hydrating the first live page (or create a new one) so pattern seeding never aborts early.
+- **Docs Synced:** Raised the documented WordPress minimum to 5.9 and noted the accessibility fixes across `AGENTS.md`, `bug-report.md`, and `readme.txt`.
 -### Latest (2025-11-10) - Blog Archive Loop Block
 - **Dynamic Loop:** Added a `mccullough-digital/blog-archive-loop` server-rendered block that outputs the curated category pills, a standalone latest-post hero, the remaining grid, and pagination while respecting the active archive context.
 - **Markup Cleanup:** Replaced the template-level Query Loop with the new block in `templates/index.html` and `templates/archive.html`, updated search/404 templates to the shared `.post-grid` class, and trimmed the post-card pattern so badges are exclusive to the featured hero.
@@ -209,7 +214,7 @@ canvas regardless of copy length.
 - Ensured all WordPress API calls use correct signatures to prevent PHP warnings and maintain forward compatibility.
 
 ## Development Notes
-- The theme requires WordPress 5.0+ and PHP 7.4+
+- The theme requires WordPress 5.9+ and PHP 7.4+
 - Build assets are tracked in `build/blocks/*/editor.js`
 - Block registrations are handled automatically via `functions.php`
 - Custom blocks support InnerBlocks for flexible content composition
diff --git a/blocks/cta/render.php b/blocks/cta/render.php
index 9be7a12..31eaa5b 100644
--- a/blocks/cta/render.php
+++ b/blocks/cta/render.php
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
             <?php
         } else {
             ?>
-            <span class="cta-button is-static" aria-hidden="true">
+            <span class="cta-button is-static">
                 <span class="btn-text"><?php echo esc_html( $button_text ); ?></span>
             </span>
             <?php
diff --git a/blocks/hero/render.php b/blocks/hero/render.php
index e23ace2..660fa29 100644
--- a/blocks/hero/render.php
+++ b/blocks/hero/render.php
@@ -34,8 +34,9 @@
 );
 
 // Image attributes
-$hero_image_url         = isset( $attributes['heroImageUrl'] ) ? esc_url( $attributes['heroImageUrl'] ) : '';
-$hero_image_alt         = isset( $attributes['heroImageAlt'] ) ? esc_attr( $attributes['heroImageAlt'] ) : '';
+$hero_image_id          = isset( $attributes['heroImageId'] ) ? intval( $attributes['heroImageId'] ) : 0;
+$hero_image_url         = isset( $attributes['heroImageUrl'] ) ? esc_url_raw( $attributes['heroImageUrl'] ) : '';
+$hero_image_alt_input   = isset( $attributes['heroImageAlt'] ) ? sanitize_text_field( $attributes['heroImageAlt'] ) : '';
 $hero_image_width       = isset( $attributes['heroImageWidth'] ) ? intval( $attributes['heroImageWidth'] ) : 0;
 $image_position         = isset( $attributes['imagePosition'] ) ? $attributes['imagePosition'] : 'bottom-right';
 $image_size             = isset( $attributes['imageSize'] ) ? intval( $attributes['imageSize'] ) : 40;
@@ -44,6 +45,17 @@
 $image_horizontal_offset = isset( $attributes['imageHorizontalOffset'] ) ? intval( $attributes['imageHorizontalOffset'] ) : 0;
 $hide_image_on_mobile   = isset( $attributes['hideImageOnMobile'] ) && $attributes['hideImageOnMobile'] === true;
 
+$hero_image_alt = $hero_image_alt_input;
+
+if ( 0 !== $hero_image_id && '' === $hero_image_alt ) {
+    $attachment_alt = get_post_meta( $hero_image_id, '_wp_attachment_image_alt', true );
+    if ( is_string( $attachment_alt ) ) {
+        $hero_image_alt = sanitize_text_field( $attachment_alt );
+    }
+}
+
+$hero_image_alt = trim( $hero_image_alt );
+
 $inner_content = trim( (string) $content );
 
 if ( '' === $inner_content ) {
@@ -134,14 +146,82 @@
 if ( ! empty( $transform_parts ) ) {
     $image_styles[] = 'transform: ' . implode( ' ', $transform_parts ) . ';';
 }
-$image_style_attr = implode( ' ', $image_styles );
+$image_style_attr = trim( implode( ' ', $image_styles ) );
+
+$hero_image_markup = '';
+
+if ( 0 !== $hero_image_id ) {
+    $image_attributes = array(
+        'class'   => 'hero__decorative-image',
+        'loading' => 'lazy',
+        'alt'     => $hero_image_alt,
+    );
+
+    if ( '' === $hero_image_alt ) {
+        $image_attributes['role'] = 'presentation';
+    }
+
+    $hero_image_markup = wp_get_attachment_image( $hero_image_id, 'full', false, $image_attributes );
+
+    if ( ! $hero_image_markup && '' !== $hero_image_url ) {
+        $fallback_attributes = $image_attributes;
+        $fallback_attributes['src'] = $hero_image_url;
+
+        $hero_image_markup = '<img';
+
+        foreach ( $fallback_attributes as $attr_name => $attr_value ) {
+            $escaped_value    = 'src' === $attr_name ? esc_url( $attr_value ) : esc_attr( $attr_value );
+            $hero_image_markup .= sprintf( ' %s="%s"', esc_attr( $attr_name ), $escaped_value );
+        }
+
+        $hero_image_markup .= ' />';
+    }
+} elseif ( '' !== $hero_image_url ) {
+    $attr_pairs = array(
+        'src'     => $hero_image_url,
+        'class'   => 'hero__decorative-image',
+        'loading' => 'lazy',
+        'alt'     => $hero_image_alt,
+    );
+
+    if ( '' === $hero_image_alt ) {
+        $attr_pairs['role'] = 'presentation';
+    }
+
+    $hero_image_markup = '<img';
+
+    foreach ( $attr_pairs as $attr_name => $attr_value ) {
+        $escaped_value     = 'src' === $attr_name ? esc_url( $attr_value ) : esc_attr( $attr_value );
+        $hero_image_markup .= sprintf( ' %s="%s"', esc_attr( $attr_name ), $escaped_value );
+    }
+
+    $hero_image_markup .= ' />';
+}
+
+$image_container_attributes = array(
+    'class' => $image_container_class,
+);
+
+if ( '' !== $image_style_attr ) {
+    $image_container_attributes['style'] = $image_style_attr;
+}
+
+if ( '' === $hero_image_alt ) {
+    $image_container_attributes['aria-hidden'] = 'true';
+}
+
+$image_container_attr_string = '';
+
+foreach ( $image_container_attributes as $attr_name => $attr_value ) {
+    $image_container_attr_string .= sprintf( ' %s="%s"', esc_attr( $attr_name ), esc_attr( $attr_value ) );
+}
 ?>
 
 <section <?php echo $wrapper_attributes; ?>>
     <canvas class="hero__particle-canvas" aria-hidden="true" role="presentation"></canvas>
-    <?php if ( '' !== $hero_image_url ) : ?>
-        <div class="<?php echo esc_attr( $image_container_class ); ?>" aria-hidden="true" style="<?php echo esc_attr( $image_style_attr ); ?>">
-            <img src="<?php echo $hero_image_url; ?>" alt="<?php echo $hero_image_alt; ?>" class="hero__decorative-image" />
+    <?php if ( '' !== $hero_image_markup ) : ?>
+        <div<?php echo $image_container_attr_string; // phpcs:ignore WordPress.Security.EscapeOutput.OutputNotEscaped -- Individually escaped above. ?>>
+            <?php echo $hero_image_markup; // phpcs:ignore WordPress.Security.EscapeOutput.OutputNotEscaped -- Markup escaped through wp_get_attachment_image or attribute assembly. ?>
         </div>
     <?php endif; ?>
     <div class="hero-content">
diff --git a/blocks/service-card/render.php b/blocks/service-card/render.php
index 9062331..4b37623 100644
--- a/blocks/service-card/render.php
+++ b/blocks/service-card/render.php
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
         <?php
     } else {
         ?>
-        <span class="learn-more is-static" aria-hidden="true">
+        <span class="learn-more is-static">
             <?php echo esc_html( $link_text ); ?>
         </span>
         <?php
diff --git a/blocks/services/style.css b/blocks/services/style.css
index e9dea74..a99d357 100644
--- a/blocks/services/style.css
+++ b/blocks/services/style.css
@@ -151,7 +151,8 @@ h2.section-title::after {
     cursor: default;
     text-shadow: none;
     transform: none;
-    opacity: 0.75;
+    opacity: 1;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
 }
 
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
diff --git a/bug-report.md b/bug-report.md
index c7f52eb..897ca87 100644
--- a/bug-report.md
+++ b/bug-report.md
@@ -4,6 +4,27 @@ This report tracks all production-impacting fixes and continuous improvements in
 
 ## Fixed Bugs
 
+### 2025-11-11 Sweep
+1. **Hero Imagery Uses Attachment Metadata**
+   *Files:* `blocks/hero/render.php`, `AGENTS.md`, `bug-report.md`, `readme.txt`
+   *Issue:* The hero image wrapper was always flagged `aria-hidden`, so descriptive alt text never surfaced, and the render callback ignored the stored attachment ID, preventing responsive sources or lazy-loading from being output.
+   *Resolution:* Reworked the render logic to prefer `heroImageId`, fetch attachment alt text when authors leave the custom field empty, and emit markup via `wp_get_attachment_image()` (falling back to sanitized `<img>` output) while only hiding the container when the image is decorative.
+
+2. **Static CTA Copy Remains Visible**
+   *Files:* `blocks/cta/render.php`, `blocks/service-card/render.php`, `blocks/services/style.css`, `style.css`, `editor-style.css`, `AGENTS.md`, `bug-report.md`, `readme.txt`
+   *Issue:* When no URL was provided, CTA and service card fallbacks rendered inside spans marked `aria-hidden` and retained neon button styling, leaving assistive-technology users with no call-to-action context while sighted users saw something that still looked clickable.
+   *Resolution:* Removed the hidden attribute, introduced neutral `.is-static` styling in both CSS bundles, and ensured fallback text stays accessible without imitating a link when no destination exists.
+
+3. **Home Seeding Skips Trashed Pages**
+   *Files:* `functions.php`, `AGENTS.md`, `bug-report.md`, `readme.txt`
+   *Issue:* The activation routine bailed out as soon as it encountered a trashed page titled "Home", preventing the landing pattern from ever being seeded for live content.
+   *Resolution:* Filtered the lookup to non-trashed statuses, skipped trashed results from `get_page_by_path`, and continued searching so the first active page receives the seeded layout or a fresh page is created.
+
+4. **WordPress Minimum Clarified**
+   *Files:* `readme.txt`, `AGENTS.md`, `style.css`, `bug-report.md`
+   *Issue:* Documentation still claimed WordPress 5.0 compatibility even though the theme depends on block features introduced in 5.9, and the version header lagged the latest sweep.
+   *Resolution:* Raised the documented minimum to 5.9 across project docs and bumped the theme version to 1.2.40 to reflect the accessibility and reliability fixes.
+
 ### 2025-11-09 Sweep
 1. **Blog Hero Glitch Parity**
    *Files:* `js/header-scripts.js`, `style.css`, `editor-style.css`, `AGENTS.md`, `bug-report.md`, `readme.txt`
diff --git a/editor-style.css b/editor-style.css
index d2fe87c..abf8518 100644
--- a/editor-style.css
+++ b/editor-style.css
@@ -76,6 +76,25 @@
     transition: letter-spacing 0.35s ease, text-shadow 0.35s ease, transform 0.35s ease;
 }
 
+.editor-styles-wrapper .cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button),
+.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button) {
+    pointer-events: none;
+    cursor: default;
+    transform: none;
+    background: none;
+    box-shadow: none;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    text-decoration: none;
+    padding: 0;
+    transition: none;
+}
+
+.editor-styles-wrapper .cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button) .btn-text,
+.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button) .btn-text {
+    letter-spacing: normal;
+    text-shadow: none;
+}
+
 .editor-styles-wrapper .cta-button:not(.hero__cta-button)::before,
 .editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.cta-button:not(.hero__cta-button)::before {
     content: '';
@@ -90,6 +109,13 @@
     z-index: 0;
 }
 
+.editor-styles-wrapper .cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button)::before,
+.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button)::before,
+.editor-styles-wrapper .cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button)::after,
+.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button)::after {
+    display: none;
+}
+
 .editor-styles-wrapper .cta-button:not(.hero__cta-button)::after,
 .editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.cta-button:not(.hero__cta-button)::after {
     content: '';
@@ -142,6 +168,15 @@
     text-decoration: none;
 }
 
+.editor-styles-wrapper .learn-more.is-static,
+.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-button__link.learn-more.is-static {
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    pointer-events: none;
+    cursor: default;
+    text-shadow: none;
+    transform: none;
+}
+
 .editor-styles-wrapper .container {
     width: 90%;
     max-width: 1200px;
diff --git a/functions.php b/functions.php
index 8d156d4..d90f463 100644
--- a/functions.php
+++ b/functions.php
@@ -154,13 +154,17 @@ function mcd_maybe_seed_home_page() {
   if ( $front_page_id ) {
     $front_page = get_post( $front_page_id );
 
-    if ( $front_page && 'page' === $front_page->post_type ) {
+    if ( $front_page && 'page' === $front_page->post_type && 'trash' !== $front_page->post_status ) {
       $page = $front_page;
     }
   }
 
   if ( ! $page ) {
     $page = get_page_by_path( 'home' );
+
+    if ( $page && 'trash' === $page->post_status ) {
+      $page = null;
+    }
   }
 
   if ( ! $page ) {
@@ -168,12 +172,14 @@ function mcd_maybe_seed_home_page() {
       [
         'post_type'              => 'page',
         'title'                  => __( 'Home', 'mccullough-digital' ),
-        'post_status'            => 'all',
+        'post_status'            => [ 'publish', 'pending', 'draft', 'future', 'private' ],
         'numberposts'            => 1,
         'update_post_term_cache' => false,
         'update_post_meta_cache' => false,
-        'orderby'                => 'post_date ID',
-        'order'                  => 'ASC',
+        'orderby'                => [
+          'post_date' => 'ASC',
+          'ID'        => 'ASC',
+        ],
       ]
     );
     if ( ! empty( $pages ) ) {
@@ -182,10 +188,6 @@ function mcd_maybe_seed_home_page() {
   }
 
   if ( $page ) {
-    if ( 'trash' === $page->post_status ) {
-      return;
-    }
-
     $existing_content = trim( (string) $page->post_content );
 
     if ( '' === wp_strip_all_tags( $existing_content ) ) {
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index 8bf0ac1..2e5f469 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 === McCullough Digital ===
 Contributors: McCullough Digital
-Requires at least: 5.0
+Requires at least: 5.9
 Tested up to: 6.9
 Requires PHP: 7.4
 License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
@@ -33,7 +33,11 @@ This theme does not have any widget areas registered by default.
 
 == Changelog ==
 
-= 1.2.39 - Unreleased =
+= 1.2.40 - Unreleased =
+* **Hero Image Accessibility:** Let the hero image container expose descriptive alt text, pull attachment metadata when available, and render via `wp_get_attachment_image()` so responsive sources and lazy-loading are applied automatically.
+* **Static CTA States:** Keep CTA and service card copy visible to assistive technology and restyle static variants as neutral text so empty links are no longer implied when no URL is stored.
+* **Home Pattern Seeding:** Ignore trashed "Home" pages while seeding the landing layout to ensure a published page always receives the starter content.
+* **WordPress Requirement Bump:** Raised the documented minimum WordPress version to 5.9 to match the block theme features the codebase already relies on.
 * **Header Logo Clamp:** Scoped the masthead logo styling to outrank WordPress core selectors and added max constraints so oversize uploads respect `--logo-size-header` without inflating the fixed header or Site Editor preview.
 * **Neon Blog Archive Template:** Rebuilt the archive and index templates around a radial hero, live search, pill-style category filters, and a featured post grid with matching editor styles so the blog listing mirrors the new mockup without duplicating markup in patterns.
 * **Blog Hero Glitch Parity:** Extended the header enhancement script and blog hero styles so the archive title now splits into interactive glitch letters with proper reduced-motion fallbacks, matching the front-page hero treatment.
diff --git a/style.css b/style.css
index 86cd941..009537a 100644
--- a/style.css
+++ b/style.css
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Theme URI:     https://mccullough.digital/
 Author:        McCullough Digital
 Author URI:    https://mccullough.digital/
 Description:   Custom theme scaffold with fixed header, mobile menu, and simple template hierarchy.
-Version:       1.2.39
+Version:       1.2.40
 License:       GNU General Public License v2 or later
 License URI:   http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
 Text Domain:   mccullough-digital
@@ -399,6 +399,12 @@ main.site-content { padding-top: var(--mcd-header-offset, var(--header-height));
     pointer-events: none;
     cursor: default;
     transform: none;
+    background: none;
+    box-shadow: none;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    text-decoration: none;
+    padding: 0;
+    transition: none;
 }
 
 .cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button)::before,
@@ -413,6 +419,13 @@ main.site-content { padding-top: var(--mcd-header-offset, var(--header-height));
     display: none;
 }
 
+.cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button) .btn-text,
+.wp-block-button__link.cta-button.is-static:not(.hero__cta-button) .btn-text,
+.post-card .wp-block-read-more a.is-static .btn-text {
+    text-shadow: none;
+    letter-spacing: normal;
+}
+
 @keyframes star-drift-slow {
     from { background-position: 0 0; }
     to   { background-position: -2200px 1600px; }