This manual is designed for professional development of both new and experienced Florida adult educators by providing them with insight into general characteristics of learning disabilities in adults. It is one of three manuals developed to supplement a previous series of professional development manuals. Each of its five units consist of some or all of the following components: objectives; informational material; and check of understanding. Unit topics are as follows: (1) overview of learning disabilities; (2) assessment criteria and procedures, including the importance of both formal diagnoses and informal assessment; (3) instructional strategies and environmental accommodations; (4) advocacy, with an overview of legislation; and (5) literacy completion points, which define the Florida 1998 Workforce Development legislation that mandates documentation of student progress and describes the monitoring process. Appendixes include an academic assessment instrument for literacy students; answer keys for the unit checks; instructor comprehensive assessment of material in this manual and answer key; names and addresses of 6 professional organizations; 8 organizational information resources; 32 references; and evaluation form. (YLB)