Meta Is Providing Ray-Ban Meta Glasses To Blind Veterans

Meta is donating Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to every legally blind veteran in the United States, a program the company says will reach more than 130,000 eligible recipients. 

The glasses are free. Meta and partners, led by the Blinded Veterans Association, are also providing hands-on training so veterans can use the devices to read documents, identify objects, describe their surroundings and move through daily life with more independence. Eligible veterans can request a pair at bva.org/glasses. Veteran organizations can apply through TechSoup. 

Meta announced the program June 12, 2026, under the slogan “The Future Is for Everyone.” Company officials framed the gift as a way to honor veterans who lost their sight in service. Retail prices for the glasses typically range from about $200 to $800, depending on the model. 

The effort was inspired by U.S. Army veteran Don Overton of the 82nd Airborne Division, who lost his vision in a Desert Storm bunker explosion and later worked with Meta’s wearables team on features for blind users.  “When I lost my eyesight in Desert Storm from a bunker explosion, I also lost my independence. The moment I put on my Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I got my independence back,” Overton said. 

Meta President and Vice Chairman Dina Powell McCormick said Overton’s collaboration showed the company it needed a path to every blind veteran in America. CTO Andrew Bosworth called the donation “a profound honor” and said it underscored why Meta builds the technology. Mark Zuckerberg said Meta AI on the glasses can describe what is around a wearer, read documents and help with navigation. 

Partners include the Blinded Veterans Association, Tunnel to Towers, Homes for Our Troops, Lighthouse Guild, American Council of the Blind, National Industries for the Blind and Oscar Mike. Training includes guides, monthly webinars and in-person events. The BVA has said it aims to finish shipping glasses by the end of September 2026. Some reports note BVA membership may be required to request a pair through the association’s site.