A Meta-Research Question about the Lack of Research in Mathematics Education Concerning Students with Physical Disability

Abstract

This paper focuses on a meta-research question stemming from the first author's PhD research on difference and inclusion/exclusion in mathematics education, namely what is the nature of the relative silence of research in social justice in mathematics education concerning people with physical disabilities. Faced with the paucity of such research, Renato decided to include this questioning in his PhD research where he argues that disability/abnormality is an invention of the normality, inspired by Edward Said who says that the Orient is an invention of the Occident. Renato Marcone approached a few mathematics educators to discuss this issue with them. Bill Atweh, a researcher with publications on social justice spanning several years, agreed to enter into a dialogue with Renato as joint reflections on this question. This paper reflects this dialogue.