Presenter Video Presentations

Basics of Applying for Guardianship - Judge Christopher Ballar

Once a decision has been made to apply for guardianship of your adult child with disabilities, Gwinnett County Probate Judge Christopher Ballar will walk you through the process from beginning to end. 

Suggested Audience: High School

bout Judge Christopher Ballar

 Born and raised in the metro area, Judge Ballar graduated from Oglethorpe University in 1993 with a BA in history.  He later attended Mercer University in Macon where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2000.  Thereafter, he practiced law in Lawrenceville and in January of 2008 opened his own law firm in Buford.  The firm served clients in the areas of wills, trusts, estates, probate, guardianship and Elder Law.  In 2012, he was elected to the office of Probate Judge of Gwinnett County and officially took his post on January 1, 2013. 

Supported Decision Making - Dana Lloyd

This presentation will go into detail about supported decision making. Supported decision making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices.

Suggested Audience: High School

About Dana Lloyd

Dana Lloyd currently serves as Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Georgia Advocacy Office and coordinates I DECIDE GA’s Supported Decision-Making Project.

Why You May Want to Consider Guardianship - Heather Nadler

This presentation will help parents understand what options a parent/caregiver can take when guardianship transfers to the adult child with disabilities at 18 years old.  Topics will include guardianship, powers of attorney and supported decision making.

Suggested Audience: High School

About Heather Nadler

Heather Durham Nadler is one of just eleven attorneys in the State of Georgia to be Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, as accredited by the American Bar Association. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of Special Needs Law, Elder Law and Estate Planning.

Heather earned a B.S. in International Business with concentrations in Spanish and Management Information Systems from Auburn University. She received her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law where she was on the editorial board of the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law. While in law school she also clerked at the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia for the Honorable Justice Hugh P. Thompson.

In 2020 and 2021, Heather was named as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in the State of Georgia by her peers and Atlanta Magazine. She has also been selected as a Super Lawyer in the field of Elder Law every year since 2015. From 2009 to 2014 she was selected as a Rising Star in the field of Elder Law. In 2020 Heather was honored by the DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation for her commitment to pro bono service through the DeKalb County Probate Court Probate Information Center.

Articles authored by Heather on the topics of Special Needs and Elder Law have been published in Family Law Quarterly published by the American Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Journal, and Atlanta Lawyer Magazine.

Heather is the current President of the Georgia Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the Georgia Bar Association, and the Atlanta Bar Association. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and before the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia. She is a Past Chair and served on the Board of Directors of the Elder Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Heather also served as Secretary of the Georgia Chapter of NAELA, was on the steering committee, and was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award by the Georgia Chapter. In addition, she has served on the Editorial Board of The Mortmain, the newsletter of the Estate Planning Section of the Atlanta Bar Association and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett.

She frequently speaks and lectures to professional and community groups at the state and national level on the topics of Elder Law, Special Needs Law, and Estate Planning. Heather has also served as an instructor for the Emory University Academy for Retired Professionals, the Emory University Center for Lifelong Learning, Mercer University’s Senior University and as a guest lecturer to law students at The University of Georgia School of Law and John Marshall Law School.

Estate Planning for a Child with a Disability - Kim Martin

This presentation will explain how parents can set up estate planning documentation (legal documentation necessary so that, at the time of their deaths, the child’s care will be legally transferred to another authority and financial support and inheritance for the child will be provided) in a manner that will not result in a loss of benefits of SSI or Medicaid. 

Suggested Audience: Elementary, Middle and High Schools

About Kim Martin

Kim Martin is a partner at the law firm of Harrison and Held LLP. She is a trusts and estates attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning for families with a special needs family member. Her areas of expertise also include guardianship and divorce settlement agreements in cases that involve a child with special needs.

As the mother of two beautiful children, one of whom has Autism, Kim brings to her practice an appreciation for the unique challenges and joys of parenting a special needs child.

Kim was admitted to the practice of law in Georgia in 1999. She earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999). She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Virginia (1990). 

Kim's publications include articles in Trusts and Estates Magazine and Family Lawyer Magazine. She has appeared on several podcasts, most notably ABC's of Disability Planning and Wealth Matters, hosted by Gaslowitz and Frankel. She recently recorded an informational video for True Link on the subject of Divorce and the Special Needs Child. 

Kim is a frequent speaker on subjects related to special needs issues. Her appearances as a speaker include numerous workshops hosted by Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS); the annual Special Needs Conference at Stetson University (October 2021 and 2022); the Chattanooga Estate Planning Council (October 2021); and the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association (December 2019). 

Memberships/Professional Credentials: 

• Board of Directors, “Just” People, an organization devoted to providing housing and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities 

• Board of Directors, Special Needs Cobb, which assists developmentally disabled adults with supported living and day programs 

• Board of Directors, Frazer Center, which offers an inclusive pre-K program and a day program for adults with intellectual disabilities 

• Board of Directors, Peter and Paul’s Place, which offers art-based programs for neuro-diverse adults

• Board of Directors, Branch Out Initiative, which provides STEM activities for children with special needs

• Member, Academy of Special Needs Planners 

• Member, State Bar of Georgia

• Member, Atlanta Bar Association

• Member, Atlanta Estate Planning Council (AEPC)

• Member, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers 

• Member, FOCUS Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

• Past member, Easter Seals Policy Council; named Easter Seals Parent of the Year in 2010 

• Past member, Editorial Board of The Mortmain, a publication of the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association

Maintaining Social Security Benefits While Working - Anna Maki

This presentation will provide viewers information on how paid employment can impact Social Security benefits for individuals with disabilities.

Suggested Audience: High School

About Anna Maki

Anna Maki is the Director of Benefits Navigation at Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI), formerly All About Developmental Disabilities. She earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Georgia School of Law and has a Master’s in Community Counseling specializing in clinical diagnoses and addressing issues impacting individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Through BDI she developed a comprehensive benefits mapping process to assess individuals’ eligibility for benefits including Social Security, Medicaid Waivers, Family Support Services, GVRA, and more.   Since the program’s inception in 2016, Anna and her team have served more than 1,200 families and secured more than 240 million in lifetime benefits for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

With over 20 years of professional experience, Anna is adept at problem-solving and navigating the benefits maze.  Most recently she has earned provisional certification as a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor through Social Security Administration.   Anna is the mom of an adult son with autism.  She enjoys volunteering in the community and serves as a Special Olympics coach and unified partner in basketball and track and field. 

NOW/COMP Medicaid Waivers - Vanessa Pryor

This presentation will discuss the NOW/COMP Medicaid Waivers which can provide financial support to individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of support needed to live and function in the community. The presentation will cover how to apply for this funding. 

Suggested Audience: Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

About Vanessa Pryor

 Vanessa Pryor, LCSW is the Intake Coordinator for the DBHDD Region 3 Field Office.

She has over 20 years of experience serving individuals in the Behavioral Health and IDD communities, and their stakeholders.

Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Alicia Lipscomb

SSI is a monthly cash assistance program for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will cover applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for children and adults with disabilities. 

Suggested Audience: Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

About Alicia Lipscomb

Alicia Lipscomb began her career with Social Security Administration in 2001 as a Claims Representative in the Winder, GA Social Security office. In August 2008, Alicia was selected as the Public Affairs Specialist for the Georgia Area Director’s Office, Social Security Administration, which oversees 33 Social Security offices and 2.1 million beneficiaries. In 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018, she received Deputy Commissioner Citations in recognition of her contribution to SSA’s communication goals and objectives. When not working, Alicia enjoys spending time with her children, Charles and Cecelia, watching her beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs and travels whenever the opportunity arises. 

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation (GVRA)

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) helps high school students and adults with disabilities transition into the world of work and maintain employment successfully. This presentation explains what GVRA is, who is eligible, how to apply and answers frequently asked questions.

Suggested Audience: Middle and High School

About Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) 

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)’s core mission is to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment.

Inclusive Post Secondary Education Options - Sheryl Arno & Darien Todd

This presentation will discuss Inclusive Post Secondary Education College Programs where individuals with disabilities can engage in the college experience and further their learning to increase independence and prepare for employment.

Suggested Audience: High School

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About Sheryl Arno and Darien Todd

Sheryl Arno has been in the field of developmental disabilities for 29 years. While she started working in the field with children, she has spent most of her career focusing on transition to adulthood and adult life. Sheryl was the creator of the Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) movement in Georgia. She started with Kennesaw State University and now there are 8 programs around the state including in all of the major colleges. Sheryl is a consultant with the Georgia State’s Center for Leadership and Disability as a parent liaison supporting the GAIPSEC.

Currently, Sheryl is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta; a role she has served in for the past four years. As Executive Director, she has been able to be a resource to families trying to get through all of the complicated systems that parents transition through. Under her guidance, DSAA now supports individuals with Down Syndrome throughout their lifespan.

Sheryl also has a private consulting agency, Ability Matters LLC. She and a team of experienced professionals work privately with individuals and families to get through various systems, while providing support and advocacy for individuals that are developmentally disabled.

While Sheryl is very busy with her work, one of her most special jobs is overseeing the support for her best friend/mentor’s daughter, Lori. Lori is 49 years old, has been married for 17 years and has worked at Children’s Healthcare for 8 years. Lori has Down Syndrome! 

Sheryl has been married for 29 years and has 3 children.

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My name is Darien Todd. I am from Ellenwood, Georgia. I attended Kennesaw State University. I graduated from the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth. My major is public speaking. I am currently working at the Center for Leadership and Disability at Georgia State University as a Community Advocate Specialist and an IPSE advocate. I am also a “My Voice, My Participation, My Board” trainer at the Center for Leadership and Disability. I participated in the Georgia Lend Program at Georgia State University.  I also have many skills, like how to work PowerPoint, Word documents, and I know how to make flyers. I have a disability; it is called dyslexia. One of my strengths is working with others, and I am a very hard worker.  

Paths to Employment Supports - Dawn Johnson

This presentation will guide you through supported employment resources available to individuals with disabilities wanting to transition into the workforce. It covers the different types of supported employment that can lead to success in a competitive work environment.

Suggested Audience: High School

About Dawn Johnson

Dawn Johnson is the Director of Employment Services at Hi-Hope Service Center. She has worked in the developmental disabilities field for 20 years and is a passionate advocate for inclusive communities and real jobs. Dawn is Vice President of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and represents Georgia on the APSE National Public Policy Committee as a legislative liaison. In 2017, she was appointed to the Georgia State Rehabilitation Council to represent Georgians with cognitive disabilities.

Preparing for the Transition to Adulthood - Dr. Karla Wade, Emory Autism Center

This presentation explains how to support your child in effectively navigating the journey to adulthood through a student-centered focus and team approach. This presentation also covers what you can do at home to help your child be prepared for this transition. 

Suggested Audience: Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

About Dr. Karla Wade

Karla Wade, Ph.D.  is an educational consultant at the Emory Autism Center.  Dr. Wade completed her bachelor’s degree in Special Education at the University of Georgia and her master’s degree in Special Education at Georgia State University. Her doctoral studies were completed at Capella University in Special Education and Leadership. Dr. Wade has extensive experience as an educator, retiring after a 30-year career in Georgia Public Schools. She went on to work at Kennesaw State University with the Academy for Inclusive Learning. She joined the Emory Autism Center in January of 2022, directly from the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, where she served as Statewide Transition Coordinator. Dr. Wade’s work is focused on helping families, schools, and agencies support transition-aged youth as they navigate to their desired successful futures. She joins the Transition Assessment team at EAC.