It means you get involved. Technically, our local forms of government are not participatory democracies. Officially, participatory democracy is direct democracy, in the sense that all citizens are actively involved in all important decisions.
It shouldn't if washed with gentle care. Rayon is a cellulose fabric and like most cellulose fabrics, it may shrink when washed. If the manufacturer has indicated the garment should be dry cleaned only, do not push your luck. If it is hand-washable though, you can use the gentle cycle on your washing machine and Woolite to get the job done.
Acetate can't, and rayon usually can't. My DD had a cute beaded dress of 100% polyester w/ a dry clean only label. But the dry cleaner warned that the plastic BEADS might dissolve in the dry-cleaning solution. So I washed it on gentle, putting it in a net bag and turning it inside out first. I air-dried it.