Thread: What is the role attribute found in WordPress 2.8.5?

The Kubrick custom theme in WordPress 2.8.5 contains a scattering of a new attribute that I have not seen before. Does anyone know what the "role" attribute is supposed to do?

Here are a few examples from the sidebar.php theme script.

Code:

<div id="sidebar" role="complementary">

<ul role="navigation">

The attribute describes the role(s) the current element plays in the context of the document. This can be used, for example, by applications and assistive technologies to determine the purpose of an element. This could allow a user to make informed decisions on which actions may be taken on an element and activate the selected action in a device independent way. It could also be used as a mechanism for annotating portions of a document in a domain specific way (e.g., a legal term taxonomy).

Source and More Information - XHTML Role Attribute | W3.Org