Key facts
- Blind parents can now receive tactile 3D models of their babies' ultrasound scans.
- Reece Finnegan-Knight, who is blind, described the 3D model as making the experience feel more real.
- The 3D scan models are part of a pilot scheme by the charity Guide Dogs.
- Maternity notes are now available via apps accessible with screen readers.
- AI screen-reading apps can describe ultrasound images and read out scan results.
- Blind parents use various methods to prepare for their baby's arrival, including labeling clothes and organizing baby bags.
A new pilot scheme is enabling blind parents to experience tactile 3D models of their babies' ultrasound scans, offering a new way to connect with their unborn children. Reece Finnegan-Knight, who has been blind since his teens, described the 3D model of his 20-week scan as making the experience feel more real and allowing him to fully access the moment without relying on others' interpretations.