Purpose This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing lifelong education participation among adults with physical disabilities and to examine the impact of such participation on life satisfaction. Economic, educational, and social support were set as independent variables, lifelong educational participation as a mediating variable, and life satisfaction as the dependent variable. Method A structural equation modeling approach was employed to analyze these relationships. The study participants included 168 adults with physical disabilities residing in Gwangju, South Korea. Data were collected and analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation model (SEM) analysis. Results The results indicated that economic, educational and social support significantly influenced lifelong education participation. Furthermore, participation in lifelong education had a direct positive effect on life satisfaction. Self-efficacy exhibited a partial mediating effect in the relationship between participation in lifelong education and life satisfaction. Conclusion These findings suggest that enhancing economic support, improving educational accessibility, strengthening social support systems, and developing self-efficacy programs are essential for promoting lifelong educational participation among adults with physical disabilities.