06/05/2026
Women with Disabilities Victoria joins the broader disability community in mourning the passing of a fierce advocate in Dr Raelene West.
A scholar and activist, Dr West made significant contributions to the field of disability research, and the impacts of her work on policy and practice will continue for many years to come.
After completing a PhD at Melbourne University in sociology – disability, Dr West was awarded a prestigious research fellowship in 2022, and was promoted to Senior Research fellow in 2025.
Her work ranged from focussing on the NDIS, housing and service delivery for people with disabilities, to exploring ableism, to safeguarding and human rights. She was committed to embedding not only her own lived experience in her work and scholarship, but also the diverse perspectives of many other people with disabilities.
Dr West was a member of the Victorian Women with Disabilities Network and then WDV when it was renamed in 2010. She was a great supporter of WDV attending events regularly, participating on reference groups and consulting with WDV as a member of contracted research teams conducting research on people with disability. WDV will remember her intelligence and strong advocacy.
The impacts of Dr West’s work and her passionate activism will live on in the Victorian disability community. Dr West will be remembered by her family, students, colleagues, and fellow activists.
Vale Dr Raelene West.