Meta to give all blinded veterans in the US Ray-Ban Meta glasses

Meta has announced that it will be donating Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to all legally blind veterans in the United States. The glasses, which contain cameras and technology that can perform tasks such as identifying objects and reading texts, will be given free of charge to all eligible veterans and will come with hands-on training and support.

Meta announced the initiative on Friday, saying that the program was inspired by US Army veteran Don Overton, who lost his eyesight in Desert Storm in a bunker explosion. Overton said in a statement that when he lost his sight, "I also lost my independence. The moment I put on my Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I got my independence back." 

There are over 130,000 veterans who are considered legally blind and will be eligible for the program. Those eligible can request a pair through the Blind Veterans Association, which will also be creating training to "ensure that all recipients can use these glasses to their fullest potential," the organization said, including monthly webinars with TechSoup and issuing a training guide going over how to operate the device.

Meta said, "Every pair of glasses includes access to training resources designed to help veterans use them effectively. Training covers how their glasses can identify objects, read text, and manage everyday tasks using only their voice – a step change in daily independence."

Dina Powell McCormick, Meta President and Vice-Chairman, said, “When Don Overton worked with our wearables team at Meta to build features that made the Ray-Ban Meta glasses more meaningful to the everyday lives of veterans, we at Meta knew we had to find a way to reach every blind veteran in America. We are so proud to work with Blinded Veterans of America, Tunnel to Towers, Homes for Our Troops, Lighthouse Guild, American Council of the Blind, National Industries for the Blind, Oscar Mike, and more to donate glasses to every blind veteran in America, and to work with the BVA to ensure veterans have the training to use their glasses to regain their independence.”

Blinded Veterans Association National Executive Director Lea Rowe said, "The Blinded Veterans Association was built on a simple, powerful promise: blinded veterans helping blinded veterans. Our partnership with Meta brings that mission to life at an unprecedented scale. By pairing life-changing AI with dedicated, hands-on training, we are putting true autonomy directly into the hands of 130,000 veterans. We are honored to bridge the gap between technology and human potential, ensuring those who served our country have the tools to reclaim the independence they deserve."