Press Release below with the title seen above from gov.texas.gov – Email: GCPD@public.govdelivery.com
Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Office of the Texas Governor
Veterans who are blind or visually impaired will have an opportunity to receive Meta AI glasses and individualized hands-on training during a special distribution and training event Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at The University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Campus for Advanced Research, formerly known as the J.J. Pickle Research Campus.
East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is working with the Texas Technology Access Program, the Blinded Veterans Association, Austin Lighthouse for the Blind, Meta and other partners to bring the national Meta AI glasses initiative for blind and low-vision veterans to Austin.
The event will serve up to 100 pre-qualified veterans and will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Campus for Advanced Research, formerly known as the J.J. Pickle Research Campus.
“After the success of our first distribution in Tyler, we knew we wanted to continue creating opportunities for Texas veterans to access this national initiative,” said Alicia Lansford, Vice President and Chief Mission Officer at East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind. “What makes the Austin event especially exciting is that it brings together organizations we already have strong relationships with, each contributing their own expertise and resources. By working together, we can help ensure veterans across Texas have meaningful access to this technology, the training to use it successfully and connections to resources that can support them beyond the event.”
During their scheduled appointments, veterans will receive their Meta AI glasses and work directly with trainers from East Texas Lighthouse, Austin Lighthouse, Meta and participating partners on setup and practical use of the technology. Training will focus on helping each veteran leave with the glasses connected, functioning and ready to use in everyday life.
Meta AI glasses combine a wearable camera, audio and artificial intelligence capabilities that can provide hands-free access to information about a person’s surroundings. For someone who is blind or has low vision, that can include asking questions about objects, printed information or other visual information encountered throughout the day.
“The Blinded Veterans Association was built on a simple, powerful promise: blinded veterans helping blinded veterans,” said Lea Rowe, National Executive Director of the Blinded Veterans Association. “Our partnership with Meta brings that mission to life at an unprecedented scale.”
The Austin event is part of a broader national initiative involving Meta and the Blinded Veterans Association to expand access to this emerging technology among veterans who are blind or visually impaired.
The event takes place immediately before the annual Viva la Vida with A.T. Conference, scheduled for Oct. 28–29 at the same location. The conference is open to the public and brings together people with disabilities, families, assistive technology professionals, service providers and public agencies to explore assistive technology and resources that support independence.
The Texas Technology Access Program, housed within the Texas Center for Disability Studies at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, is Texas’s state assistive technology program. The program leads the state’s implementation of the federal 21st Century Assistive Technology Act and works to increase access to assistive technology for Texans with disabilities and people who are aging.
In addition to receiving glasses and hands-on technology training, participating veterans will have an opportunity to connect with representatives from state programs and other organizations that provide resources and services to Texans with disabilities and veterans. The goal is to make the event not only a technology distribution, but also an opportunity to connect veterans with resources that may continue to support their independence after the event.
“Part of the work of the Texas Technology Access Program is helping people try assistive technology and learn to use it in daily life,” said Sandy Magaña, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Texas Center for Disability Studies. “For the veterans at this event, that means leaving with glasses they know how to use and with resources they can turn to afterward.”
Participation in the Austin event is not restricted by geography. Eligible veterans may apply regardless of where they live; however, this is not a walk-in distribution event. Veterans must complete the application process in advance so that veteran status, vision eligibility and technology readiness can be reviewed. Approved participants will receive confirmation and a scheduled appointment time. Submission of an application does not guarantee participation or receipt of glasses.
Information & Application: https://easttexaslighthouse.org/meta-glasses-for-blind-veterans/