The University's Hester Adrian Research Centre undertook research into the education of mentally handicapped children. The Centre resulted from a proposal by Hester Adrian (1899-1966), vice-chair of the National Association of Mental Health; in 1965 the University agreed to set up a centre at Manchester, with the NAMH raising funds. The Centre was originally intended to be named after President J.F. Kennedy, but following Hester Adrian's death in1966, it was agreed to name it after her.
The file includes: correspondence and papers relating to the creation of the Centre, including an initial memo. by Adrian (1965), and comments on the proposals by Professor R.A.C. Oliver; a memorandum from 1967 summarising events leading to the creation of the Centre; the appointment of Peter Mittler as the Centre's Director and appointments to the Centre's Advisory Committee on which the NAMH and special education groups were represented. There is material relating to funding, including a grant of £100, 000 from the Sembal Trust in 1966, and support from the Department of Health and Social Security in the early 1970s.
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