Shannon M. Shelley-Tremblay, Executive Director
Shannon M. Shelley-Tremblay, JD, (she/her) joins ADAP following an extensive career centered in South Alabama. She is an experienced nonprofit and higher education leader who is a dedicated advocate for civil rights, inclusion, poverty alleviation, and access to justice. Shannon leverages a comprehensive skillset to drive positive change. Among her prior positions, she has served as the Executive Director of the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, she founded the Office of Community Engagement at University of South Alabama, she was the Civil Rights Advocate for the Independent Living Center of Mobile, and she served as the Program Managers of the University of South Alabama’s Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) and Youth Violence Prevention programs.
In addition to her professional experience, Ms. Shelley-Tremblay has a served on numerous boards and tasks forces at local, state, regional and national levels. She is a passionate believer in the power of relationship and strives to bring community members, organizations, and leaders together to serve and create a better world for everyone.
Shannon is a 2002 graduate of Rutgers Law School which she attended following a career as a middle and high school teacher.
She is grateful to her husband of over thirty years, Jack, and her three sons, Sean, Alex, and Gabe, and a large group of extended family, friends, and colleagues for supporting her in accepting this dream position.
Coming Soon – Associate Director
Angie Allen, Senior Case Advocate
Angie began working at ADAP in 1999. She received her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Wyoming and her master’s degree in social work from The University of Oklahoma. Angie is the intake specialist for ADAP’s Community Access Team and provides case advocacy services on a variety of issues. Angie is married and has three cats. She enjoys sports and spending time outdoors.
Cecilia Ballinger, Equal Justice Works Law Fellow
Sponsored by Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC
Cecilia began working with ADAP as a clerk while in law school. During that time, she worked primarily on special education issues, but also developed a passion for medical advocacy. Inspired by this work, she wrote and received funding for a two-year Equal Justice Works Fellowship focusing on the needs of children with medical complexities across the state. Cecilia graduated from law school this May and will be officially beginning her fellowship work next month. Cecilia received undergraduate degrees in philosophy and sociology from UAB and has always been passionate about removing barriers and inequalities in our education system. She is excited to begin her career in legal advocacy with ADAP and looks forward to serving the medically complex community through her fellowship work.
Tammy Blue, Case Advocate
Tammy joined ADAP in January 2025 after three years as a case manager for Jefferson County Alabama’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. She is a published historian with focus on racial violence and equity, and has presented her research at the Alabama Historical Association (AHA), Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA), and Graduate Association for African American History conferences. Tammy earned her M.A. in History and B.A. in English/Professional Writing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has also spent several years as a writer and editor for several organizations contributing to their website ADA compliancy. Tammy is a lifetime advocate for persons with disabilities and enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and rescuing cats.
Larry Canada, Senior Trial Counsel/Legal Director
Larry, “LC” to his friends, joined ADAP in 2019 after retiring from a large regional litigation firm. LC primarily works on ADAP’s Community Access Team. He has significant experience in handling large complex litigation involving a wide range of subject matters, including toxic torts, commercial and contractual disputes, insurance coverage, construction defects, professional malpractice, the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (on which he has written and lectured). LC earned his B.S. (chemistry, 1978), J.D. (1986), and LL.M. (2019, summa cum laude) from The University of Alabama. He is licensed in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court. LC is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was named a Super Lawyer (2012, 2014-2018) and included in the publication The Best Lawyers in America from 2012-2020. LC is also an Assistant Bar Examiner for the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Ashley Chambers, Legal Assistant
Ashley joined ADAP as a legal assistant in 2023. She is a Tuscaloosa native. Previously, she has worked for a personal injury law firm as the medical records analyst. Her passion for helping others began when she started volunteering for RISE in high school and continued through her years as a sales assistant for clothing boutiques. Performing in customer service allowed her to establish her meticulous attention to detail. She is ready and willing to work with clients to achieve any goals. She spends her free time listening to live music, hiking all over Alabama, and spoiling her dog.
Ashley Creamer, Senior Case Advocate
Ashley graduated University of Alabama at Birmingham, Cum Laude in 2005 in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Criminal Justice. She began her career as a 310 case manager, moved into early intervention, and came back to working with adults with developmental disabilities. She has worked more than 16 years and it is her passion. Ashley also enjoys spending time with family, working in the yard and watching her niece and nephew in the sports and activities that they participate in.
Shantorraya Dudley, Administrative Assistant
Shan came to ADAP in 2023. Shan previously worked at a pharmacy as a technician. She has worked in the health field for over five years and has always seen herself helping others in whatever career aspect she went with. She has a daughter that keeps her pretty busy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading, and DIYing.
Barbara Lawrence, Senior Staff Attorney
Barbara joined ADAP in 1997 and, for many years, represented children with disabilities in foster care, dependency, juvenile justice, special education and mental health matters. Currently, Barbara conducts and coordinates the agency’s representative payee reviews. Barbara graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1992. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from UA. Prior to coming to ADAP, Barbara practiced in the areas of family law, dependency, child custody, domestic violence, housing, Social Security, as well as other general civil matters.
Andrea Mixson, Senior Staff Attorney
Andrea has been employed with ADAP as a staff attorney since 2005. Andrea is engaged in a variety of individual and systemic advocacy efforts related to children with disabilities including special education, juvenile justice, mental health, and child welfare. She is a graduate of the Cumberland School of Law and holds a Masters of Education degree from Auburn University.
Maggie Moore, Legal Assistant
Maggie joined ADAP as a Legal Assistant in 2023. She is originally from Indiana and moved to Alabama in 2008 when she and her husband were married. They have two children, a girl and a boy, that keep them very busy. They are all active members in their church congregation and their community. Maggie has worked previously at the University of Alabama’s Children’s Program and The WOW Program.
Kimberley Myers, Senior Case Advocate
Kimberley joined ADAP in 2024. As part of the ADAP team, Kim conducts SSA Representative Payee Reviews. Prior to joining ADAP, Kim had many advocacy roles, including serving elders in long term care settings and adults with Developmental Disabilities within the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Through her work at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, she served in positions such as QIDP, Director of Quality Services and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs. Kim graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She enjoys music, sports (spectator and participation), movies, volunteer opportunities and traveling.
Christina Norris, Senior Case Advocate
Christina re-joined ADAP as a Senior Case Advocate in 2017, after having left the agency to move out of state with her family. She received her undergraduate degree in social work from The University of Alabama and has served as an advocate to children, families and the elderly in several capacities throughout the state of Alabama. Her primary focus with ADAP is advocacy related to special education.
Porsharee Ray, Senior Case Advocate
As part of the ADAP team, Porsharee conducts SSA Representative Payee Reviews. Porsharee earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Alabama A&M University and her master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining ADAP Porsharee worked for Social Security Administration over 6 years, and she has worked in a range of positions serving various community populations. Porsharee enjoys singing and spending time with her family and her niece and nephews.
David Rissling, Peer Support Specialist
David joined ADAP in 2024, where he is the Peer Support Specialist. David is totally blind and on the autism spectrum. David was born in Tuscaloosa and is a 2014 Bama grad with a BA in Music. He enjoys serving God by serving others and loves some Alabama football. Roll Tide!
Rosemary Beck Ruffo, Information Systems Administrator
Rosemary joined ADAP in 1997. Rosemary is responsible for writing and submitting grant applications and program performance reports to ADAP’s federal authorities. She provides IT support to all ADAP staff. Rosemary also administers the agency’s client database system and provides training and support to all staff and students at ADAP on the use of the system.
Jenny Ryan, Senior Staff Attorney
Jenny, a native of Hale County, received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate from The University of Alabama. She previously served as a law clerk for former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb while Judge Cobb was on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. She also spent a year as a law clerk for the magistrate judges of the US District Court, Middle District of Alabama. She was in private practice for a number of years with a focus on juvenile justice, family law, and appeals before joining ADAP in 2013. She leads ADAP’s Children’s Advocacy Team and specializes in special education law. She also serves as the director of the Children’s Rights Clinic at The University of Alabama School of Law. Jenny enjoys being active in the community and is involved with both Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre and Theatre Tuscaloosa where she has served in various executive positions on the boards.
Kia Scott J.D., Staff Attorney
Kia Scott, JD, is a dedicated advocate with over a decade of experience in special education and family-related legal matters. She has helped thousands of families across Alabama resolve special education disputes, ensuring students receive the services they need. As Principal Attorney at Alabama Special Education Attorneys, Kia specialized in advocating for students and families navigating disability law, bringing a solutions-oriented approach to her work as an advocate, mediator and facilitator. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management from Faulkner University, a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University, and an LLM in Dispute Resolution and Trial Advocacy from Faulkner Law. Before focusing on special education law, she gained valuable legal experience with the U.S. Magistrate Court, Alabama’s 2nd Judicial Circuit, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A longtime Montgomery resident, she transitioned from a successful career in broadcast media to law, leveraging her communication skills to educate and empower families. She remains an active member of several legal associations and is forever grateful for the support of her husband and children in her mission to help disabled communities navigate complex legal challenges with compassion and expertise.
J. Carlton Sims, Jr., Staff Attorney
J. Carlton Sims, Jr. joined ADAP in 2023. An experienced attorney from Montgomery, Alabama, with extensive expertise in litigation, Carlton has focused on civil rights, statutory, and constitutional law. His practice areas have included Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and First Amendment matters. Carlton has represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative bodies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Carlton earned his B.A. (economics, 1985) from the University of the South; MBA (2006) from the University of Alabama; J.D. (2011) and LL.M. (2016) from Faulkner University. Carlton served as Editor-in-Chief of the Faulkner Law Review. Carlton holds a Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. Carlton is licensed in Alabama and California (inactive) and is a member of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Bill Van Der Pol, Senior Trial Counsel
Bill holds a B.S. from Indiana University–Bloomington (1981) and a J.D. from Indiana University–Indianapolis (1984). Prior to joining ADAP in 2013, he practiced for 29 years in Indiana, primarily in the areas of mental health law and criminal defense. He provided defense services for over 5,000 individuals, up to and including lead capital defense responsibilities. At ADAP, his area of primary responsibility is in advocating for, and protecting the interests of, individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities in institutions and community settings. He is currently ADAP’s lead counsel in the agency’s on-going lawsuit on behalf of prisoners in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Nicky Watkins, Senior Voting Rights Advocate and Outreach Coordinator
Nicky joined ADAP in 2022 and their work revolves around voter education, voting rights, voting law in Alabama, voting with a disability, and outreach and communications. Nicky was born with spina bifida and has been a lifelong disability advocate. Nicky has a B.A. and an M.A. in History from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They taught history at Lawson State Community College for several years before becoming a professional advocate, first at Planned Parenthood Southeast and then working as a Peer Advocate in the Independent Living field. Nicky has a relatively dark and cynical sense of humor, but in spite of the world, the pandemic, and occasionally their better judgment, they remain hopeful and focused on justice and liberation for the disability community. When they are not working, Nicky enjoys quality time with their partner and their shared love of Dungeons & Dragons, video games, and snuggles with their three terriers and cat.
Molly White, Accounting Specialist
Molly joined ADAP in 2020 as the Children Advocacy Team’s legal assistant and in 2022 became the Accounting Specialist. Molly attended Shelton State Community College where she obtained her Associate Degree in Office Administration in 2013. Before coming to ADAP, Molly worked in Continuing Education at The University of Alabama as a registrar and served as a medical records clerk at a local medical office. She enjoys classic rock, thrifting and hours on the water in her spare time.
Lonnie Williams, Staff Attorney
Lonnie has been with ADAP since 2005 and works on the agency’s Community Access Team. Lonnie has an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a law degree from Birmingham School of Law. Lonnie provides services in several different issue areas, such as appropriate treatment and placement, abuse and neglect investigations, guardianship and conservatorship, Medicaid rights, ADA/504 rights, and fair housing rights.
Santita Word, Representative Payee Program Coordinator
As part of the ADAP team Santita conducts SSA Representative Payee Reviews. Santita earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University and her master’s degree in Criminal Justice from The University of Alabama. Prior to joining ADAP Santita worked in a range of positions servicing diverse populations. Santita is married with two daughters. She enjoys DIY, crafting and couponing.