In the USA the third Monday in January is marked as Martin Luther King Jr Day. Of course, the day memorialises the work of Dr King, the US Civil Rights Leader, who was assassinated on 4 April, 1968. Each year I remember Dr King, his tireless work for civil rights, and his commitment to non-violent protest. In a challenging world, his guiding principle, that we all share a common and equal humanity, is an important reminder of the role of advocacy, of standing up and taking action against exclusion and oppression, and showcases the strength gained by doing it with others of like mind.
On that note, I bring your attention this month to the article on Access Denied, the new report we helped develop as part of the Australian Psychosocial Alliance, outlining our concerns about rapidly declining access of people with psychosocial disability to the NDIS. I think you will be as concerned as we are.
Dr King was one of the most prominent US Civil Rights leaders of 1960s, and a key part of passage of the US Civil Rights Act 1964 and the US Voting Rights Act1965. His impact was significant, and his memory and inspiration endure. I am sure, like me, you have some passing knowledge of Dr King and the US Civil Rights movement. Of course, the 1963 “I have a dream speech” is remembered as one of the finest pieces of public oratory, given at the end of the March for Jobs and Freedom in Washington DC before 250,000 people on the National Mall. That dream, still unrealised, continues to reverberate
Common with many advocates for human rights and equality, our work at Flourish Australia, amongst other things, is inspired by Dr King’s work. Finding and making a home, getting a job, making friends, participating in local communities, claiming social citizenship, are all key features of our programs, bringing to life the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and directly challenging mental health stigma and discrimination which destroy so many opportunities for people with lived experience of a mental health issue and their families, carers and kin.
But we do not do this alone. Thank you for being likeminded people, walking with us to pursue the dream Dr King extolled, working to create a world founded upon equality and human rights for all, including people experiencing complex mental health issues.
I hope you enjoy the inspiring recovery of Dennis and Paul this month, and the great news about employment opportunities being provided by the new Inclusive Employment Australia program.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Mark Orr AM
Chief Executive Officer