We envision Ability Counts as the premier program of choice in the Inland Empire, empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through exceptional vocational training, community integration, and competitive employment placement. We are committed to fostering personal choice, advocacy, and a culture of diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our services.

ABILITY COUNTS advocates and promotes a partnership with individuals with intellectual disabilities for the purpose of assisting them to gain access to quality vocational skills, vocational training, appropriate competitive employment and social integration.

PERSONAL GROWTH: Ability Counts, Inc. believes that personal growth is a lifelong journey. We recognize the significance of every individual's investment of time with us. We, therefore, commit ourselves to ensure that every staff member's and Consumer's personal growth goals are encouraged and treasured.

SELF-ESTEEM: Ability Counts, Inc. values self-esteem and considers it the ultimate measure of personal balance. Therefore, we, the administrative and Instructional staff, view these values as an itemization of our commitments that together make up our holistic approach.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY: Ability Counts, Inc. values and encourages a sense of pride when one moves toward self sufficiency. Earned wages and reduced dependence on state and federal assistance are critical to personal growth. We, therefore, commit to promoting financial independence for Consumers and staff through the development of individual work skills, training, and fair compensation.

SOCIAL PEERS: Ability Counts, Inc. believes a life filled with loved ones and friends achieves a richness in the quality of life that cannot be compensated for in any other way. We, therefore, commit ourselves to promote both Consumer and staff friendships through highly interactive work environments where an atmosphere of caring can truly be felt.

WORK: Ability Counts, Inc. values the role of work and believes that it parallels the role of family in importance. Every human being deserves to have their latent talents developed to the point of engagement in meaningful employment with the potential for growth of personal equity. Our mission is fulfilled when instructor ingenuity, creativity, persistence, and talents join with the developed abilities of the people we serve to produce work teams capable of performing highquality production and service. We, therefore, commit ourselves to ensure that the work experience at Ability Counts is internally rewarding to all our Consumers, with corresponding remuneration (paychecks) as external evidence of commercial value created. We encourage pride in workmanship and a sense of accomplishment.

WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIPS: Ability Counts, Inc. values the reciprocity of benefit that is achievable between industry and those currently considered unemployable. Through the services of Ability Counts, people with vocational challenges have access to the dignity of meaningful work and wages. Our community businesses, in turn, receive a capable workforce and guaranteed productivity. We, therefore, are committed to building and maintaining a strong network of strategic alliances with local industries to complement and further diversify Ability Counts' own commercial services and manufacturing enterprises.

PERSONAL CHOICE: At Ability Counts, Inc., we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to make choices that lead to a fulfilling and empowered life. We are dedicated to supporting our consumers in exploring their unique interests and strengths, allowing them to chart their own paths toward personal and professional success. Our commitment is to provide the resources, training, and encouragement needed for each consumer to make informed decisions and pursue their dreams. By fostering an environment that values autonomy and self-determination, we strive to ensure that every consumer feels confident in their ability to shape their future and achieve their goals. Together, we are building a community where personal choice is celebrated, and every individual has the power to thrive.

The fundamental philosophy of Ability Counts is based on “improving the quality of life” of the people we serve. In keeping with this basic philosophy, each employee of Ability Counts can gain purpose and direction from the observations and philosophy of the late educator, Dr. Marc W. Gold.

• One can best serve people with disabilities by training them to do marketable tasks.

• Persons labeled “retarded” respond best to a learning situation based on respect of their human worth and capabilities.

• Those labeled “handicapped” have the breadth and depth of capabilities to demonstrate competence, given training appropriate to their needs.

• A lack of learning in any particular situation should first be interpreted as a result of inappropriate or insufficient use of teaching strategy, rather that inability on the part of the learner. (Marc Gold: ‘Did I Say That’, 1980)

All employees of Ability Counts, shall commit themselves to the purpose of enhancing the training and employment of each individual consistent with consumer interests and motivation. We shall also assist each individual to achieve his/her maximum employment potential and, to the extent possible, help each individual become full participants in the normalized living and working patterns of our society. We believe that when employment skill is developed in an environment of mutual respect between instructor and learner, and when the relationship between instructor and learner is balanced and when individual differences and interests of the learner are considered, employment skill development will contribute to enhanced quality of life for both learner and instructor.