ATDev Podcast Episode 48: Julie Reiskin on Disability Rights and Constituent Power

In this episode of the ATDev Podcast, Owen Kent speaks with Julie Reiskin, disability rights advocate and co-executive director of the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC), a free membership organization with over 7,000 members focused on building cross-disability power for social justice. Reiskin explains CCDC’s “Nothing about us without us ever” approach to constituent engagement, emphasizing embedded participation, comfort with conflict, clear advisory vs. decision-making roles, and addressing power dynamics so lived experience is valued alongside professional expertise. She also describes CCDC’s intentional blend of grassroots organizing, policy work, and legal advocacy, modeled on the need for legislative, executive, and judicial enforcement. The conversation highlights Colorado’s Working Adults with Disabilities Medicaid Buy-In program as a key path out of poverty, its flexible eligibility and savings protections, and concerns about future funding cuts tied to the hospital provider tax. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:26 Julie and CCDC Background 02:32 Nothing About Us Without Us 05:28 Power Dynamics and Paid Leadership 08:27 Why Legal Plus Grassroots Works 13:57 Working Disabled Medicaid Buy In 18:36 Funding Threats and Impact Data 19:40 Get Involved Events and Wrap Up