How do I perform a filter on a column that contains icons?

rkd80

Hey folks,

I replaced the HTML of one of my columns with icons representing certain status. Status like: ACCEPTED, REJECTED, PENDING.

I have attached a filter to my table, using a standard example:
[code]
$j("thead input").keyup( function ()
{
oTable.fnFilter
(
this.value, $("thead input").index(this)
);
});
[/code]
With a pulldown:
[code]
.columnFilter({
"sPlaceHolder":"head:after",
aoColumns:
[
null, // typing
null, // typing
{ type: "select", values: [ 'APPROVED', 'REJECTED', 'PENDING'] }
]
});
[/code]

How can I reference the internal value of the column while filtering? As I still want the user to filter by word, not by icon.