Coeditors of a special issue of the "American Annals of the Deaf" on mathematics instruction in deaf education, the authors provide a context for the five featured articles. First, the authors establish the importance of mathematics. They then give a historical account of previously related "stepping-stones." Beginning at 1990, the authors follow key events in the field that have led to the special issue. They summarize each article, highlighting three common themes: deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) persons as distinct and capable mathematics learners, the significance of conceptual understanding of mathematics concepts, and the role of language as a key component of mathematics instruction and learning. The authors conclude with a call for further research that recognizes the heterogeneity of DHH learners.