Over one billion individuals globally live with some form of disability, and our wearable AI technology is making a significant impact on many of their lives. From helping those who are blind describe their surroundings to boosting confidence for veterans with memory loss, our AI wearables are proving to be invaluable. As Global Accessibility Awareness Day approaches, we’re highlighting how we’re building on this impact.
Donald Overton, a US Army veteran who lost his sight in Iraq while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, uses his Meta AI glasses, created in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, to navigate airports, read menus, and manage his daily activities without carrying a backpack full of assistive devices. “I can now go out to dinner with my wife and have a normal date night. I’m able to use the technology to read the menu to me,” he shared.
Noah Currier, a Marine Corps veteran with quadriplegia and founder of the Oscar Mike Foundation, uses Ray-Ban Meta glasses to capture photos and videos using only his voice. He describes this as “changing the game” for those with physical disabilities. “I’m a quadriplegic, so my hands don’t work. I probably have fewer photos and videos in my phone than anybody else in the world,” he explained. “Being able to take them hands-free was incredible. The very first thing I did was take a picture of my baby when I got home.”
These stories motivate us to continue enhancing the capabilities of our AI glasses, including the introduction of new features.
More Ways to Stay Connected
We’re introducing new features on our AI glasses that allow users to navigate their day without needing to handle their phone or touch the frames.
Group calling and Service Directory with Be My Eyes: In collaboration with Be My Eyes, individuals who are blind or have low vision can now initiate a hands-free video call with a trusted contact by saying “Hey Meta, Be My Eyes with [name].” This feature also connects users with trained support representatives from global brands like Tesco, Sony, Amtrak, and Hilton for visual assistance.
Voice controls during calls: Soon, managing calls on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Be My Eyes will be possible entirely by voice, including muting, unmuting, and turning video on or off. This reduces barriers for those with limited hand mobility.
One-touch shortcuts: Users can customize the action button on Ray-Ban Meta Optics styles or Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for quick access to their most-used features, replacing multi-step voice commands with a single press.
Captioned calls: We’ve introduced real-time captions during phone, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram Direct calls on Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, helping users stay hands-free and catch every word even in noisy environments.
Third-Party Apps Built for Our AI Glasses
With the Meta Wearables Device Access Toolkit (DAT), developers are extending their mobile apps to our AI glasses, creating experiences that enhance independence for people with disabilities.
OOrion: This app assists blind and low-vision users in locating objects, reading text, and navigating their surroundings with real-time, hands-free AI assistance.
Aira: Connecting users with Visual Interpreters, Aira provides secure, on-demand visual information while keeping users’ hands free for other tasks.
Turning Muscle Signals Into Independent Control
In partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, we’re exploring electromyography (EMG) technology to give people with spinal cord injuries new ways to interact with digital devices. The Meta Neural Band detects subtle muscle signals and translates them into actions like clicking or scrolling.
We’re excited to host an event on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, May 21, 2026, at Meta Lab NYC in collaboration with Lighthouse Guild and Achilles International to showcase our wearable technology. These updates are a step forward in making technology accessible to everyone, and we look forward to sharing more as we continue to innovate for people with disabilities.
