Spanish museums invite the blind to touch masterpieces

Staff at the Prado, Spain's top art museum, usually prevent visitors from touching its priceless treasures.

But on a recent morning, with their blessing, Jose Pedro Gonzalez, 56, slowly ran his fingers over a copy of one of 15th century master Diego de Velazquez's most famous paintings, Apollo in the Forge of Vulcan.

His hands ran back and forth over the depiction of the god Apollo wearing a laurel crown, tracing the edges of the garment.