One year later, and it still feels as though it were only yesterday that my mentor, coach, and dear friend, John D. Panarese, left this world. His passing, far too soon and at the cruel hands of cancer, created a silence that has yet to fade. But within that silence lives the echo of a promise I made to him, a promise that continues to guide me every day.
Before he grew too ill to continue working, John and I had been building something meaningful, an initiative designed to deliver high-quality training and tutoring to people who are blind or vision impaired in the use of the Mac, iOS devices, and Windows. It was John’s idea, born from his lifelong commitment to accessible technology and his belief in empowering others through knowledge. He offered to train me in the skills I would need, particularly with the Mac and iOS, and in return he asked for nothing except my solemn vow to carry the mission forward.
This was quintessential John. For many years, he was the driving force behind https://macfortheblind.com, a platform through which he offered courses, tutorials, and guidance to learners across the United States and around the world. Whether teaching virtually or face-to-face, he poured his energy into helping others navigate technology with confidence and independence.
John taught me VoiceOver. He taught me the Mac operating system. And he coached me, patiently, persistently, and wholeheartedly, through my Apple Certified Support Professional exam. But more than any technical skill, he taught me what it means to give of oneself without hesitation. John was not just an instructor; he was a lifeline for so many. His generosity, patience, kindness, and unwavering commitment made him not only a remarkable educator but one of the most respected Apple accessibility trainers in the world.
John was unique in ways that are nearly impossible to describe, and impossible to forget. To try to emulate him is to attempt to replicate the irreplicable. Yet it is now my time to carry his torch, to continue the work he began, and to give back in his name.
With that purpose in mind, I invite you to visit https://visiontechacademy.com. Here, tutors, trainers, and students come together in meaningful collaboration, a community built on the very principles John embodied: communication, support, accessibility, and shared learning.
This is my memorial to him.
This is my promise fulfilled.
In the name of John D. Panarese, whose legacy continues to light the way.