Technology Distribution & Training

Free Meta AI Glasses for Veterans with Vision Loss

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is offering opportunities for eligible veterans who are blind or have significant vision loss to receive Meta AI glasses at no cost, including hands-on setup and training.

Meta AI glasses connect with a compatible smartphone and can use AI-powered features to help describe surroundings, read text aloud, identify objects and provide other useful visual information.

Advance application and approval are required. Review the events below, then complete the application at the bottom of this page.

Apply Now See the Events

Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses on a wooden table beside a VFW veteran cap and a small American flag, with a large flag hanging behind

Upcoming Events

Choose an Event

Each event includes device distribution, setup help, and hands-on training by appointment. You'll select the event you want to attend on the application form at the bottom of this page.

Shield Down — Empowering Veterans, Honoring Legacies

Clarksville – October 17

Date and time: Saturday, October 17, 2026
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Clarksville Country Club
690 Private Road 7010
Clarksville, TX 75426

Presented in conjunction with the Red River County Veterans Expo by Shield Down.

Austin – October 27

Date and time: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Commons Learning Center
J.J. Pickle Research Campus
Austin, Texas

Presented in conjunction with the Texas Technology Access Program and the Viva La Vida Assistive Technology Conference.

Go to the application

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

To be considered, applicants must:

Be a U.S. veteran and provide approved documentation verifying veteran status.
Be blind or visually impaired and provide documentation that allows East Texas Lighthouse to verify vision loss.
Own and bring a smartphone compatible with Meta AI glasses.
Be familiar with basic smartphone use, including navigating apps, accessing text messages or email, and entering account information or passwords.
Attend a scheduled appointment at the selected event.
Participate in hands-on setup and training when receiving the glasses.

You do not have to be totally blind to apply. East Texas Lighthouse will review the vision documentation provided to determine eligibility.

A pair of black Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, folded, on a white background

What the glasses can do

Describe surroundings and identify objects
Read text aloud
Hands-free calls, messages, and audio
Lightweight, familiar Ray-Ban design

Before You Start

What You'll Need to Apply

Having your documentation ready before beginning the application will make the process much faster.

Proof of Veteran Status

Please upload one of the following:

Preferred
Texas driver license or state ID with the Veteran designation
VA Veteran Identification Card (VIC)
VA Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
DoD Uniformed Services ID or military retiree ID
Also accepted
VA service verification or proof-of-service letter
DD Form 214
NGB Form 22 (National Guard)
Other official military discharge or separation record

A veteran ID card is all we need. If you upload a DD-214 or similar record, please cover or leave out Social Security numbers, disability ratings, and other details not needed to confirm veteran status.

Proof of Vision Loss

Please upload documentation showing or certifying your blindness or visual impairment. This may include:

Eye-care provider documentation
VA vision documentation
Medical documentation identifying your eye condition or vision loss

You do not need to upload your entire medical record. Please provide only the documentation needed to verify your vision loss.

Smartphone Information

You will also be asked to provide the make and model of the smartphone you currently use so we can confirm compatibility with Meta AI glasses.

Not sure of your model? On an iPhone, go to Settings › General › About. On Android, go to Settings › About phone.

The Process

What Happens After You Apply?

Submit your application and documentation online
Choose your event above and complete the online application with your veteran-status and vision-loss documentation and your smartphone make and model.
East Texas Lighthouse reviews your application
We'll verify veteran status, vision eligibility and smartphone compatibility.
Approved applicants are contacted to schedule an appointment
Submitting an application does not guarantee an appointment or a pair of glasses. Devices and training capacity are limited.
Prepare your phone before the event
Confirmed participants will receive instructions for downloading the Meta AI app and preparing their smartphone before arriving.
Attend your scheduled appointment
You'll receive your Meta AI glasses, assistance setting them up and hands-on training to help you begin using them successfully.

Partnership

A Collaborative Initiative

East Texas Lighthouse is honored to work alongside Meta and the Blinded Veterans Association to put life-changing AI technology directly into the hands of veterans who need it.

Device Donor

National Veteran Membership & Outreach

BVA Mission

BVA serves as ambassadors and mentors for all veterans and their families coping with sight loss.

BVA Vision

BVA continually strives to better the lives of all who served in the Armed Forces living with sight loss through expert advocacy, engaged membership, clear communication, and peer-inspired self-reliance.

“Blinded Veterans Helping Blinded Veterans”

BVA is the ONLY congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization created for, consisting of, and led by visually impaired veterans — focused on the issues, advocacy, and mentorship vital to all veterans and families coping with sight loss.

Our Commitment

More Than a Pair of Glasses

Our goal isn't simply to put technology in someone's hands.

We want every veteran to leave with their glasses set up, connected and with the knowledge they need to begin using them successfully.

That's why setup and hands-on training are part of every East Texas Lighthouse Meta AI glasses distribution event.

Need help completing the online application?

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind

903-593-3111

Toll Free: 1-888-565-3852

Phone assistance hours

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Our team can walk you through eligibility, documentation, and the application step by step.

Free Meta AI Glasses for Veterans with Vision Loss