American with Disabilities Act (ADA): The American with Disabilities Act is a law implemented by the United States Federal Government that states no individual with a disability is discriminated against and proper accommodations are made in public facilities, in places of employment, transportation, in state and local government agencies and by the communications industry.

The American with Disabilities Act refers to private employers including state and local governments, agencies that provide employment opportunities and labor unions. Since July 26th 1992, employers who employ 25 or more employees and as of July 26th, 1994 employers who employ 15 or more employees must abide by the American with Disabilities Act. Disabled individuals who qualify for a specific employment position can not be discriminated against if they have a disability. Individuals who have a disability are said to be physically or mentally impaired and have limitations when performing one or more common life activities and has written documentation of limitations. Any person who is associated with an individual with a disability is also protected under the American with Disabilities Act. A disabled individual who is said to qualify for an employment position is said to meet the appropriate skills and education required for a specific employment opportunity with or without reasonable accommodations.

A reasonable accommodation is considered any alterations made to an employment position or work environment that would allow a qualified individual with a disability to participate in apply for a specific employment position or perform a specific employment requirements along with changes provided to ensure that an individual with a disability is created equally when applying for a specific employment position or completing a specific job. Changing a specific job, altering work schedules and providing an interpreter is considered reasonable accommodation. In order for an employer to be able to provide reasonable accommodation, the job applicant or potential employee must make their disability known to the employer.

Agnosia: Agnosia is an uncommon condition that does not allow an individual to identify to identify objects or people even though an individual understands specific traits associated with objects or people. Individuals who have Agnosia are unable to recognize shapes therefore; they are unable to recognize a person's face. Agnosia may limit only one sensory motor skill such as hearing or more than one sensory motor skill. Individuals, who are diagnosed with Agnosia, usually are diagnosed after the individual has had a stroke, dementia or other neurological disorders. Agnosia occurs when an individual has damage to certain areas of the brain that are associated with the occipital or parietal lobes of the brain.

There is no current treatment for individuals who suffer from Agnosia but individuals can find support groups to discuss their symptoms. The original origin of Agnosia should be identified so treatment can be sought.

Albinism (Oculocutaneous Albinism or Ocular Albinism): Albinism is a term used for many conditions and occurs because genes are distorted and cause a fault in the production of melanin. When an individual develops Albinism, the individual's body does not manufacture or deliver enough pigment throughout an individual's body which is known as melanin. Melanin occurs because of several genetic defects that may have occurred. There are two types of Albinism.

Type I Albinism affects an individual's Metabolism Tyrosine which leads to the obstacle of changing amino acids to melanin. The genetic defect that occurs is in the Tyrosinase which is the enzyme accountable for metabolizing tyrosine. Type II Albinism is due to a genetic defect in the “P” gene. An individual who has Type II Albinism has different pigmentation when they are born.

The most serious form of Albinism is known as Oculocutaneous Albinism which affects the pigment in an individual's hair, skin and eye color. Oculoocutaneous Albinism is hereditary through the Autosomal Recessive Process. Albinism that just affects an individual's eyes is called Ocular Albinism. Ocular Albinism is when there is no pigment in the retina of the eye. An individual can become diagnosed with a bleeding illness called Hermansky-Pudlak which is also a type of Albinism. Hermansky-Pudlak occurs when an individual bruises or bleeds easily and is associated with lung and bowl disorders.

The symptoms associated with Albinism are as follows:

An individual has no pigment in their hair, skin or eyes.

Skin is patchy because there is no pigment present.

An individual's hair and skin demonstrates a very light color.

Rapid eye movement is demonstrated.

A person's eyes cannot track objects properly.

Light becomes uncomfortable for individuals who have Albinism.

Loss of vision occurs eventually leading to blindness.

Albinism can be determined through genetic testing and treatment varies from individual to individual which may include wearing sunglasses. Complications from Albinism are skin cancer and blindness.

Asthma: Asthma is a chronic illness that affects an individual's ability to breathe. The airways of an individual have difficulty carrying air in and out of an individual's body. Asthma occurs when as individual's airway is swollen which makes a person's airways very susceptible to allergies such as pollen. When an individual's airway becomes narrow, a problem with breathing occurs causing wheezing, coughing, tightness in an individual's chest and trouble breathing. There is no cure for Asthma but can be managed.

Managing Asthma includes trying to eliminate the substances that cause an individual's airways to narrow. Medications such as Advair can also be taken. When an individual's Asthma becomes worse, an Asthma attack occurs. An Asthma attack is when the muscles around the airways tighten so air intake is limited by the individual. Enhanced swelling also occurs.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative that progresses over time. ALS attacks an individual's nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord creating weakening an individual's muscles as well as creating muscle atrophy. The beginning signs of ALS are muscle weakness and stiffness. When an individual's ALS progresses, muscle weakness worsens and a person may become paralyzed in their arms, legs and trunk area. Speech, ability to swallow and a person's breathing may also be affected. The average life span for an individual with ALS varies depending upon the individual. ALS affects all races and ethnic groups. There is only one drug used to treat ALS and that Rilutek. Rilutek only helps manage the symptoms of ALS and is not a cure.

Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that affects an individual's brain. Abnormal clumps called Amyloid Plaques along with nerve fibers called Neurofibrillary Tangles create Alzheimer's disease. Adults age 65 or older usually gain the disease. When an individual develops Alzheimer's disease, the individual usually loses their cognitive ability, their personality and functionality. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include loss of memory and language deficiencies. Currently there are no treatments for Alzheimer's disease.