AWS Corporate Principles:
Putting Our Mission into Action

  1. The mission of AWS is to help people with disabilities achieve maximum independence and inclusion so that they may contribute to society.
  2. Merge the charitable mission of the corporation with effective business practices.
  3. We accept the fact that we operate in a competitive environment and use competition to strengthen our organization.
  4. Our goal is to build the finest agency in the country. Anything we do will be done in an excellent manner or not done.
  5. Develop a corporate image that denotes first class services. This includes maintaining corporate physical assets that project that image.
  6. Services should be designed with the client (customer) choice in mind. Programs should be wrapped around people rather than forcing people into fixed programs.
  7. Policies do not create quality, people do. If a corporation has the hearts and minds of its employees, then rules and policies are of little use.
  1. In order to be successful, staff members must be flexible. "Departmental" thinking should be minimized.
  2. Giving too much service is demeaning and disrespectful and fosters dependence. We should strive to help people "just enough."
  3. With all the regulation we must endure, it is easy to confuse process with product. We must keep focused on outcome.
  4. We have three important assets: people, reputation, and finances. The most important of these is people and we will develop practices that reflect that fact.
  5. Staff should have an understanding of the financial as well as the professional principles of the corporation.
  6. The future of this corporation and the success of individual employees are linked to increased productivity.
  7. Very few corporations produce a more important service or product. We deal with things that make life worth living.