Groups Recognized for Work With Disabled

Twenty service agencies that help find employment for disabled residents of the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys recognized 36 companies and government agencies Friday for providing work to those who are mentally and physically handicapped.

“For a very long time in our society we threw away paper and aluminum and people because we didn’t realize we could utilize these resources,” said Brenda Premo, director of the state Department of Rehabilitation, to about 170 who attended an awards ceremony and breakfast.

“When we hire those who are disabled into our work force . . . we increase the ability of creativity to occur in ourselves,” Premo said.

New Horizons--a nonprofit organization that teaches developmentally disabled adults culinary, industrial and art skills--hosted the third annual breakfast.

The Department of Water and Power, Blockbuster Video, Tower Records of Pasadena and Albertson’s Food Center of Glendale were among agencies and companies recognized.

Scott Kipp was among the most appreciative of those who benefit from the hiring of disabled workers.

“I was unemployed for a while,” said Kipp, a 33-year-old autistic man who found work through Jay Nolan Community Services, a nonprofit, job-placement group in Mission Hills.

“People with disabilities should be entitled to go out and work in the community,” said Kipp, a janitor at Innovative Events of Van Nuys, which plans parties. “If I can do it, so can somebody else.”