Meta has launched one of the largest accessibility initiatives in tech history, offering free smart glasses to every legally blind US veteran. The program covers more than 130,000 veterans and marks the first time a major tech company has distributed AI-powered eyewear at this scale as a public service.

The glasses use Meta’s AI assistant to describe the world aloud — reading signs, identifying objects, recognizing faces, and narrating surroundings through the built-in speakers. For veterans with vision loss, this turns the glasses into a real-time audio description tool that runs hands-free.

Eligible veterans can apply through a dedicated portal on Meta’s website, where they verify their status through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The glasses ship at no cost, and Meta says it will cover replacement units if they are lost or damaged during the first year.

The initiative builds on Meta’s earlier work with accessibility organizations and its existing partnerships with the VA. While the company has offered discounted smart glasses to veterans before, this is the first time it has extended the offer to every eligible person at zero cost.

Source: UploadVR