Tehran cafe run by disabled raises spirits, combats stigma

Melika Aghaei's fingers move slowly across the keys of the digital piano as she softly sings a children's song to the delight of the cafe's customers, while Mehdi Khakian takes orders for espressos and lattes.

Located near the bustling Vanak Square in north Tehran, the "Downtism Cafe" stands out from other coffee shops in the affluent neighbourhood for its unique staff.

All have either Down syndrome, like Aghaei, or autism, like Khakian, and run the entire operation themselves.

Opened only three months ago, the cafe -- whose name combines "Down" with "autism" -- is bustling.

"All of the people are kind and affectionate toward us," says Khakian, 31. "I invite everyone to come to our caf and support us. I promise that we will give them very clean and perfect service when they come."
"I wanted the people to become familiar with them -- many people do not have enough knowledge of Down syndrome; here they get to meet them face-to-face."
"I work in this cafe as a server," the soft-spoken high school student said. "I play the piano too."
Customer Farzaneh Heidari heard about the coffee shop on social media and gushed about receiving "excellent service."
"They are doing their best to prove themselves and show that they are capable of many things if given the chance."
"Many children with Down syndrome are pushed into isolation for various reasons and are unable to make friends, but here everyone's in the same situation."