The van, valued at $50,000, will make it easier for the center to serve its clients, many of whom have a hard time getting to the facility because of a lack of proper transportation.

"As far as I am concerned, this is the most beautiful van in the world," said Sam Britten, director of the center. "It is going to provide vital transportation to our clients and our students."

Dante DeLeo, Ricon's director of engineering and a CSUN alum, said company officials were honored "to be part of such a great program that benefits so many individuals with accessibility needs."

"The Ricon Group has a long history of creative designs and this van represents the latest in mobility technology," DeLeo said. "We are hopeful that it helps each individual in the program achieve their personal goals."

Ricon Corp. is a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of wheelchair accessibility systems and solutions, including vehicular wheelchair lifts, adaptive mobility products and public and residential vertical accessibility lifts. Its products are shipped worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

CSUN's Center of Achievement for the Physically Disabled is recognized internationally for its success in rehabilitating people who have made little or no progress in other therapeutic programs.

The center's services are directed by faculty members and assisted by university students who are training to become adaptive physical education instructors, physical therapists, chiropractors or medical doctors. Originally designed to serve CSUN's large disabled student population, the center has since opened its doors to all and has provided services to more than 6,000 community members since 1978.

The center includes the Abbott and Linda Brown Western Center for Adaptive Aquatic Therapy. The adaptive aquatic center includes therapeutic pools to help meet the specialized rehabilitation needs of paraplegics and persons with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis or joint and soft tissue injuries.

"The addition of this van makes doing our job and serving the community a little easier," Britten said.

California State University, Northridge has more than 29,000 full- and part-time students and offers 58 bachelor's and 50 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley.

(Editor's Note: A photo of the van is available.)