From Pain to Purpose: How the UN is Helping a Young Disability Advocate to Open Doors for others

"I know this reality personally. I went to school, earned my degree, gained certifications, and committed myself to volunteer and professional work. Yet despite all that, I was  shut out because of assumptions about my capabilities. I turned this pain into purpose. " Zinzee Noel, Grenada

 

Growing up in Grenada, Zinzee Noel learned early that people saw her disability before they saw her. Whether in school or in the workplace,  her wheelchair often overshadowed her intellect and work ethic.

 Born with Arthrogryposis, a congenital condition affecting  muscle development and mobility, Zinzee has always required a wheelchair and mobility aids, but her intellectual capacities have never been limited. 

At school, Zinzee faced significant challenges, including low expectations from teachers, fewer subject options, and placement in a slower-paced academic classes for accessibility. She and her parents fought to advocate for ramps and basic accessibility throughout her schooling. 

" I overcame these obstacles through determination, self-teaching, advocacy, and support from inclusive teachers and peers who believed in my abilities,” Zinzee recalls, noting that these experiences strengthened her resilience and fueled her passion for disability advocacy.

Despite earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and certifications in fields including digital marketing, creative writing, and graphic design,  she acknowledges that the fight for inclusion is not over.

"Too often still , when we walk into a workplace, the equipment we use — whether a wheelchair, a hearing aid, or any other support — becomes the focus, instead of our skills, education, and experience. Doors are closed before we even get the chance to prove ourselves," she explains. 

As a result, Zinzee’s journey has been one marked by  persistence, adaptation, and continuous learning, in the face of systemic and physical barriers.

Joining Forces with the UN

In 2023, committed to fostering a more inclusive future for youth, women  and  people  living with disabilities, Zinzee, then 24 years old,  joined the UN Barbados and Eastern Caribbean’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG), as Grenada’s representative. 

She is one of more than  40 youth leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean, including young single mothers and indigenous youth, who have served on this youth sounding board, coordinated by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.

Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett, says over the past five years  the  UN Team has benefitted immensely from the skills, talents , insights, and enthusiasm of young leaders like Zinzee.  Noting the level of energy and innovation that youth naturally bring to the table, he maintains that greater  youth involvement is needed to drive transformative change.

"Our youth are our present and our future, and it  is clear that we have only scratched the surface of what youth can offer to governments and international institutions. There is need for greater youth involvement in shaping their future,"  Mr. Springett emphasizes.

Through their participation in YAG, members have gained greater exposure to regional and global development processes, strengthened their leadership and advocacy skills, and built confidence to engage in  high-level policy spaces. Many, including  Zinzee, have represented their countries at international forums such as the UNESCO Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination, ECOSOC youth forum, High-Level Political Forum, and the SDG Summit in New York. Several have also been nominated to serve on international youth entities, and they have become more active in national and regional policy dialogue and community development.

As she embarks on her third term, as part of the  5th YAG cohort, Zinzee credits the UN with providing her with visibility, credibility, and access to global conversations on inclusion, human rights, and youth leadership.

“My partnership with the UN has helped me think beyond individual advocacy and toward systemic change, especially in education, employment, and policy,” she  says, 

The HireAbility Campaign – from a personal goal to regional vision

 In December 2025, as part of  the UN’s  Disability Inclusion Strategy   the Resident Coordinator’s Office partnered  with Zinzee to launch the ‘HireAbility Campaign’, an initiative focused on inclusive workplaces and hiring practices. She  describes the UN partnership on this campaign , which was her brainchild,  as “one of the most meaningful outcomes of this journey.”

“What began as a small personal goal - an idea to host a workshop on inclusive hiring -  became a real program that brought attention to disability inclusion in employment, a topic deeply connected to my lived experiences,” Zinzee explains.

The first phase of the ‘HireAbility Campaign’ began in  December 2025, featuring  a series of ‘Power Portraits on social media. These portraits highlighted outstanding employees with disabilities who are driving change in their workplaces and communities, aiming to shift the narrative from disability to ability  and from barriers to opportunities. The subsequent phases of the Hireability Campaign will be rolled out in coming months and expected to feature other advocacy initiatives including testimonials from employers who have successfully hired persons with disabilities and videos showcasing persons with disabilities on the job, with the support of private sector partners. 

“Seeing my vision come to life reinforced my passion for creating equitable opportunities for persons with disabilities and showed me the impact that youth-led advocacy can have when supported by international networks like the UN,” Zinzee says. 

Through powerful portraits, employer testimonials, stories of real people living and working with dignity, and private sector internships, the HireAbility Campaign  seeks to demonstrate that people with disabilities are defined by their talent, contribution, and potential – not by equipment or limitations.

“This is not a plea for sympathy. It is a call for recognition. It is a reminder that ability comes in many forms — and when given the chance, it rises higher than any bias,” Zinzee asserts.

A positive future awaits

Today, Zinzee is  boldly challenging long‑held assumptions about disability, dismantling stereotypes,  and insisting on the kind of representation she once struggled to find. 

She is guided by the belief that inclusion is not a favor but a right, and that “disability doesn’t make us less—doubt does.” These convictions shape her advocacy, leadership, and life, reminding her that her wheelchair does not limit her possibilities but carries her toward them.