Cafe run by disabled combats stigma

TEHERAN, Iran - 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 Teheran, the "Downtism Cafe" stands out from other coffee shops in the neighborhood 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.