“When I lost my eyesight during Desert Storm due to a bunker explosion, my independence seemed lost as well. But when I put on my Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I regained that independence,” said Don Overton, a blind veteran from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
Over 130,000 American veterans who are legally blind now qualify to receive Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
How Veterans Can Obtain Their Glasses
Veterans eligible for the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses can request a pair by visiting bva.org/glasses. Additionally, veteran organizations looking to assist their members or other eligible blind veterans can apply through TechSoup to help them acquire these glasses.
Training and Support
Each pair of glasses comes with training resources to aid veterans in using them effectively. The training includes guidance on object identification, reading text, and managing day-to-day activities through voice commands, marking a significant step towards greater independence.
Available resources include:
- Monthly webinars: The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) conducts monthly live webinars in collaboration with TechSoup, offering veterans the chance to ask questions and receive real-time support.
- In-person events: Meta and partner organizations host events nationwide, where veterans can receive their glasses, get practical guidance from trained staff, and connect with other participants.
- BVA Training Guide: This guide is designed for blind and low-vision veterans, covering how to activate voice commands, read documents, answer calls, and handle daily tasks independently.
Dina Powell McCormick, Meta President and Vice-Chairman, noted, “When Don Overton collaborated with our wearables team at Meta to develop features for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses that would significantly benefit veterans, we at Meta decided to make these available to every blind veteran in the country. We are proud to partner with organizations such as Blinded Veterans of America and others to donate these glasses and provide the necessary training.”
Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the honor of providing technology to veterans who lost their sight while serving the nation, ensuring they can navigate their surroundings more effectively.
Lea Rowe, National Executive Director of the BVA, expressed the organization’s commitment to helping veterans regain autonomy, highlighting the partnership with Meta as a means to bridge technology with human potential.
Other partners like Scott Thornhill from the American Council of the Blind, Frank Siller from Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Thomas Panek from Lighthouse Guild, and Brigadier General (Ret.) Tom Landwermeyer from Homes For Our Troops also expressed their support and appreciation for the initiative, recognizing the profound impact it has on veterans’ lives.