The company has also committed US$30,000 for accessibility training, aiming to help visually impaired users read text, identify objects and access information through AI-powered eyewear.
Meta has announced plans to donate 1,000 Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to four organisations in Singapore that support people with disabilities, alongside a US$30,000 grant to develop accessibility training for visually impaired users.
The initiative, announced on October 8, is intended to expand access to AI-powered wearable technology and support greater independence in everyday activities.
The participating organisations include the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), Guide Dogs Singapore, the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Gardens by the Bay.
Joel Kaplan, Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer, announced the programme at an AI glasses accessibility showcase co-hosted by Meta and SDSC. The event brought together disability advocates, athletes, representatives of participating organisations and Singapore government officials.
According to Meta, its AI glasses can assist people who are blind or have low vision with tasks such as reading text, identifying objects and receiving descriptions of their surroundings. The devices also offer features including hands-free calling, music playback and live translation.
The US$30,000 grant will be provided to SAVH to develop and deliver a free accessibility training curriculum. The programme will focus on helping visually impaired individuals use the glasses safely and effectively through practical instruction.
Training will cover object identification, text reading and voice commands, with the aim of improving users' familiarity with the technology in daily situations.
Kaplan said the initiative would place AI-enabled devices with organisations serving people who could benefit from their accessibility features.
The Singapore Disability Sports Council also highlighted potential applications in sports, including hands-free recording and reviewing training activities. Participating athletes may explore how the devices can support communication and performance assessment.
Paralympian and national para shooter Theresa Goh said hands-free functionality had helped her capture moments and remain connected throughout the day.
Guide Dogs Singapore will explore applications for individuals with visual impairments, while Gardens by the Bay plans to examine how AI-enabled eyewear could support accessible visitor experiences.
Gardens by the Bay has previously introduced initiatives including sensory tours for visually impaired visitors and a robotic guide dog pilot programme.
The announcement comes as technology companies expand the use of artificial intelligence in consumer wearables, incorporating capabilities such as computer vision, voice interaction and contextual assistance.
Meta has not disclosed how the 1,000 glasses will be allocated among the four organisations or provided a timeline for completing distribution.
The company has also not released independent performance findings measuring the effectiveness of the glasses in accessibility settings.
The initiative combines device distribution with user training as Meta and its partners explore practical applications of AI-powered eyewear for people with disabilities.
Disclaimer: This article may include information derived from interviews, press releases, public statements, research, company communications and other publicly available or third-party sources. Such material may be summarised, paraphrased or contextualised for journalistic and editorial purposes. All rights in third-party content remain with their respective owners.