Project background: In Europe around 700.000 persons are suffering from the Down Syndrome, meaning a genetic chromosomal syndrome affecting physical features and usually causing mental retardation. It is caused by having an extra third copy of chromosome 21, usually by a random error in the mother's egg, though a small percentage are familial such as Translocation Down Syndrome (~4-5%) and occur from a chromosomal defect in a parent. The diagnosis of Down Syndrome does mean a number of significant disadvantages in life and society. Apart from physical disadvantages and mental retardation this means low chances in life and society including education. Basic literacy as being one of the major criteria for society participation is a big barrier and up to now there are unfortunately no promising and empowering possibilities for this target group to achieve a better literacy status.Especially mathematical competences seemed to be impossible to acquire for these persons as the chromosome 21 has been declared to be responsible for logical and abstract thinking. However modern brain research clearly shows that this is not fully true and there are possibilties for members of this target group to acquire mathematical competences if they would be trained in an appropriate and innovative way. The "Yes we can" project aims at the development of an innovative methodology to train basic mathematical competences to people suffering from the Down Syndrome and so realise the training of key competences at this special target group. Having sufficient basic mathematical competences would mean e.g. that these people can operate with money, could use a telephone, could go for shopping, buy food or read a watch - key elements of society participation. Aims and objectives: The "Yes we can" project will develop a modern and innovative methodology for training mathematical competences for people suffering from the Down Syndrome and train trainers, parents and other staff working with this target group to use and apply this methdology. To reach this overarching aim, we plan to realise the following sub targets during the project implementation: 1) Perform a detailed needs analysis in all partner countries to idenify special needs and requirements of the target group as well as the education and training system responsible for the education of the target group (schools, adult training centres, parents etc.)2) Develop an innovative methodology based on modern brain research results for the training of mathematical competences for persons with Down Syndrome3) Develop a training programme for the methodology including learning and teaching materials for people working and/or caring for the target group (social workers, trainers, care givers, teachers, parents etc.)4) Implement a pilot multiplier trainer programme, training 2 trainers from every partner country 5) Implement a pilot training programme in all partner countries training another 20 trainers per country 6) Perform an evaluation and validation phase of the methodology in all partner countries 7) Finalise the materials and methodology on the basis of the validation resultsMain Outputs: -) Innovative and validated methodology for teaching mathematical competences to persons suffering from the Down Syndrome-) Teaching materials for trainers, parents and teachers: handbook, pictures and video (DVD) in all partner languages -) Publication (book) with methodology and key findings of the project -) Needs analysis report about the education and training needs in mathematical literacy in all partner countries Impact: During the project about 200 trainers, parents etc. will be trained in the methodology and it is expected that about 600 people suffering from Down Syndrome will learn basic mathematical literacy within the project duration. A well planned exploitation strategy will care for an even much broader long term impact.