Comment Text:
Dear CFTC Team,
I am writing to express my extreme frustration and disappointment regarding the recent changes to how public comments are submitted through Regulations.gov for CFTC matters.
While I appreciate that FAQs and guidance documents exist, the current process is unnecessarily confusing, difficult to navigate, and far from user-friendly for ordinary members of the public. Regulations.gov contains countless agencies, departments, and rulemakings, and it is incredibly easy for someone to become lost or uncertain about whether they are even submitting comments to the correct place.
The new process feels designed for people who already understand federal systems and agency structures, rather than for everyday citizens who simply want to participate in the regulatory process. Public participation should be encouraged and simplified, not buried behind layers of navigation, agency filtering, docket searching, and unclear instructions.
The FAQs are “okay” at best, but they do not adequately walk users through the actual process in a practical and visual manner. Reading paragraphs of text is not enough when the website itself can be overwhelming and inconsistent. There should be:
* Clear step-by-step instructions
* Visual walkthroughs with screenshots or images
* Simplified navigation guidance
* Direct links for common CFTC actions
* Easier explanations written in plain language
* Better distinction between agencies so users do not accidentally end up in the wrong section
Additionally, accessibility needs much greater attention. There should be stronger Section 508 compliance support and accommodations for individuals with disabilities or those who rely on assistive technologies. Accessibility should not be treated as an afterthought. Instructions, forms, navigation elements, and supporting materials should all be designed with accessibility in mind from the beginning.
At the moment, the process creates unnecessary barriers for public participation. Many people likely give up before completing a submission because the system is simply too confusing or intimidating. That defeats the purpose of public comment opportunities entirely.
I strongly urge the CFTC to reconsider how these systems are presented to the public and to invest in simpler educational materials, accessible design improvements, and genuinely user-friendly guidance resources. Even something as basic as a dedicated “How to Submit a Comment” page with screenshots, arrows, examples, and accessibility-friendly formatting would make a major difference.
The public should not need to be regulatory experts just to submit a comment to a federal agency.
I hope these concerns are taken seriously and forwarded to the appropriate teams responsible for public engagement, accessibility, and website usability improvements.
Sincerely,
Joe Jones
