“It’s Hard to Put a Wheelchair in a Boat:” A Qualitative Study of Climate Change Threat Perceptions Among Disabled People and Caregivers

Disabled people and caregivers face distinct risks in a changing climate, yet their voices remain underrepresented in climate discourse and emergency preparedness. This qualitative study explores how disabled people and caregivers perceive climate change threats through the lens of Protection Motivation Theory. Eight focus groups (N = 58) revealed that participants view climate change as a personal, immediate, and life-threatening issue. They expressed acute anxiety over extreme weather, power outages, and evacuation barriers, with many questioning first responders’ ability to meet their needs. Participants also reported low self-efficacy, citing feeling overlooked and excluded from mainstream sustainability efforts. Findings indicate a pressing need for inclusive, accessible, and empowering climate communication strategies and emergency planning. This study highlights the urgent call for co-created interventions that restore trust, build efficacy, and center the lived experiences of disability communities in climate resilience efforts.