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\u201cWhen 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.\u201d \u2014 Don Overton, a blind veteran of the US Army\u2019s 82nd Airborne Division.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n More than 130,000 American veterans are legally blind and will be eligible for Ray-Ban Meta glasses.<\/span><\/p>\n Eligible veterans can request their pair of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses through <\/span>bva.org\/glasses<\/span><\/a>. Veteran organizations seeking to help their members or other eligible blinded veterans receive glasses can apply through <\/span>TechSoup<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n 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 \u2014 a step change in daily independence.<\/span><\/p>\n Available resources include:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dina Powell McCormick, Meta President and Vice-Chairman, said: \u201cWhen 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.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Andrew Bosworth, Meta Chief Technology Officer, said: \u201cThese veterans sacrificed their sight in service to our country. Giving them technology that can meaningfully navigate the world around them is a profound honor for us and underscores the importance of why we build.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Lea Rowe, National Executive Director, Blinded Veterans Association, said: \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Scott Thornhill, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, said: \u201cThe American Council of the Blind is honored to be partnering with Meta to provide our nation\u2019s blind veterans technology to navigate the world. There is no more deserving group than our veterans and ACB stands ready to support them and this incredible initiative.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Frank Siller, Chairman & CEO, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, said: \u201cAmerica\u2019s veterans gave everything to defend our freedom, and we owe it to them to make sure they never have to face life\u2019s hardest challenges alone. For the more than 130,000 veterans living with blindness, this extraordinary gift from Meta is far more than a pair of glasses \u2014 it\u2019s the ability to read a letter, navigate the world, and reclaim their independence. At Tunnel to Towers, we\u2019ve seen through the mortgage-free smart homes we build for our catastrophically injured heroes how the right technology can give someone their life back, and we are honored to stand with Meta and the Blinded Veterans Association to do the same for these brave men and women.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Thomas Panek, President & CEO, Lighthouse Guild, said: \u201cAt Lighthouse Guild, our mission is to provide care, community and technology to people with vision loss. As a person who is blind, aside from my white cane and guide dog, I never leave home without my Meta glasses. They are not only the most useful technology ever developed for the blind, they look pretty cool too. That\u2019s why we are honored to partner with Meta to support BVA\u2019s hope to deliver Meta glasses and training to every blind veteran in America. We are grateful for the sacrifice and service of our Veterans and hope this small gesture of gratitude will empower those of us living with vision loss to make our days brighter.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Brigadier General (USA, Ret.) Tom Landwermeyer, President and CEO of Homes For Our Troops, said<\/span><\/i>: \u201c<\/span><\/i>At Homes For Our Troops, the most important part of our mission is to enable severely injured post-9\/11 Veterans to rebuild their lives and reclaim their independence and dignity. We are proud to partner with Meta on this innovative initiative, bringing Meta\u2019s AI-powered smart glasses to the blind Veterans we serve. Technology has the power to break down barriers and create new opportunities, and this partnership represents another meaningful step toward helping our Veterans engage more fully with the world around them. Together with Meta, we are expanding possibilities, restoring freedom and independence, and supporting our Veterans as they build brighter futures in their homes and the communities where they have chosen to live.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nHow Veterans Receive Their Glasses<\/h2>\n
Training & Support<\/h2>\n
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