I think it's a political move on their part. When word got out that the DSM-V was to be compiled behind closed doors, there was a good deal of backlash on behalf of some members of the psychiatric community as well as the general public. There has since been some backpedalling and retrenching on this, and I believe the call for public input was inspired by this controversy. It is a small step, and much more needs to be done.

In my personal opinion, they should throw the whole bloody thing out, but if they must have it, the least they can do is ask clients and potential clients for their opinions, and take them seriously -- not just regard the responses themselves as signs of mental illness.