In Rome, Italy a restaurant was set up called ‘Locanda dei Girasoli’ which means ‘sunflower place’ to help facilitate greater social integration for adults with Down Syndrome. It offers both good food and smiles to appease both the stomach and the heart to its customers. The idea is to give those with Down Syndrome a sense of greater independence. The reason for the name ‘sunflower’ is because down syndrome people are like sunflowers… they turn towards those that give them the most light!

Another opportunity for integration into society for young adults with Down Syndrome started out in Istanbul and is called ‘Down Caffe’. This has been especially created to give work to youth with Down Syndrome. It hires only personnel within the ages of 18 and 25 with the objective of giving these young adults a greater autonomy and self-esteem. This is an example which should be imitated worldwide.