Meta will give away Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to blind veterans at an Austin VFW post on Friday, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with an event that pairs the free devices with hands-on training, the company said.
The Austin giveaway is part of a broader Meta effort to donate free AI glasses to every blind veteran in the country. Meta said the campaign, a continuation of its “The Future is for Everyone” initiative, aims to reach 130,000 veterans across the United States.
The event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday at VFW Post 8787, 500 VFW Road in Austin, and is open to blind veterans and one guest each, according to the event invitation. Meta is hosting it in partnership with the Blinded Veterans Association and the Austin post, and organizers are asking attendees to RSVP in advance so the group can plan accordingly.
Meta President Dina Powell McCormick will lead the giveaway and training session, the company said. Meta said the Austin gathering will also include special guest appearances to honor the anniversary of the attacks. Event materials credit U.S. Army veteran Don Overton as the inspiration for the program.
Each pair of glasses provided to a veteran comes with an in-person training session with Meta representatives, along with resources to help veterans learn the device and explore its features, according to the company. Meta said the glasses assist with everyday tasks such as reading medication labels or describing a room and the surrounding environment, helping veterans navigate daily life with greater independence and confidence.
Austin is not the first Texas stop. Meta said it hosted similar events in El Paso and Tyler in August, and the Austin post continues that rollout across the state.
Eligible veterans can request a pair of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses through bva.org/glasses, Meta said, and veteran organizations seeking to help their members or other eligible blinded veterans receive glasses can apply through TechSoup. Additional program details and eligibility requirements are posted on the Blinded Veterans Association website.