As it launches Elevex, the first ever exoskeleton arm-assist to help people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Duchenne UK showcased its latest prototype in the US. They were there as part of the UK’s Future Art and Culture programme at South by Southwest (SXSW) that is produced by British Underground and Arts Council England, with partnership support from the British Council. The charity demonstrated the prototype and discussed its work in developing inclusive technology at SXSW, an international technology and entertainment festival that’s taking place in Texas this week.

As part of the Future Art and Culture programme, 16-year-old musician Eli Crossley, who has DMD, took part in the panel Tech For All: Unlocking Creativity with Inclusive Innovation at SXSW. Last year Eli and his band, Askew, became the youngest band ever to perform at Glastonbury. Now Eli has headed across the pond and, in addition to taking part in the panel, he is taking his music to SXSW. Eli will be performing on the International Day Stage at 2pm, on Wednesday 13 March. Eli will perform a selection of his original songs for his showcase, including Driving Seat and Rosemary. He will be supported at his showcase by the UK band Sorry.

A homegrown success story, Eli is available to speak about his music, how innovative technology is facilitating his performances and making history at Glastonbury and SXSW.

Arriving in Texas, Eli said: “I hope to have people from record labels see me, and hear the music that my band and I make. I hope to build lots of music connections at SXSW to help me achieve my dream of getting a record label.”

Driving the development of innovative and inclusive technology
Founded and led by Emily Reuben, Eli Crossley’s mother, Duchenne UK passionately believe that there needs to be a massive step change in how technology helps people with disabilities. The charity thinks it’s unacceptable that technological development is progressing at a rapid pace, yet people with physical disabilities have benefited very little from this.

Duchenne UK is working to change this by developing new devices that give people with physical disabilities greater independence. They are also redesigning and updating old technology for people with disabilities too.

Duchenne UK’s panel at SXSW
Panel hosted by Nick Kwek, journalist, BBC TV presenter and founder of Project x Media. Entitled Tech For All: Unlocking Creativity with Inclusive Innovation, the panel took place on Tuesday 12 March at the Austin Convention Center. You can find out more about it here.

Panelists include:

• Emily Reuben OBE, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Duchenne UK – shared her horror at realising how little technology there was to help her son as his disease progressed and her determination to do something about it.

• Eli Crossley, demonstrated the suit and how it helps him to continue playing the ukulele as he loses upper body mobility. Eli will also be playing a showcase of his music at SXSW on Wednesday 13 March.

• Hayley Phillipault, Head of Technology at Duchenne UK – discussed her work in designing products with and for people with disabilities over the last 20 years, and how she has railed against the lack of progress in providing well designed, affordable assistive products.

Speaking about the panel, Emily says:
“We are very grateful to have this opportunity to tell our story and share our message. It’s a mother’s determination to give her son, and everyone with physical disabilities, the chance to be able to live their lives with greater independence and to do the things they love.

“There’s still a lot that that needs to change for technological development to truly include people with disabilities. But change has begun, and we’re driving it forward.

Elevex, the exoskeleton arm-assist
Duchenne UK has partnered with the charity Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK and the University of Liverpool to develop the exoskeleton arm-assist. In 2022, it received £1.2 million from People’s Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund to develop it. Since then, Duchenne UK has raised another £800,000 through its partner charities, major donors and Family and Friends Funds to support the development of the exoskeleton arm-assist.

ABOUT BRITISH UNDERGROUND
British Underground (BU) curates and produces international showcase and streaming projects in music and the arts. BU is an Arts Council England NPO and PRSF Talent Development Partner working across culture from Stormzy to the Royal Shakespeare Company. BU has over 20 years’ experience producing significant showcases and events at South by Southwest, in Austin, TX (SXSW).

ABOUT ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Arts Council England (ACE) is the national development agency for creativity and culture in England. ACE invests public money from the Government and the National Lottery to support the arts and culture sector and to enable people across the country to enjoy a range of high quality cultural experiences.
www.artscouncil.org.uk

ABOUT BRITISH COUNCIL
THE BRITISH COUNCIL is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people. www.britishcouncil.org 

The Future Art and Culture Podcast
Ahead of SXSW, British Underground have launched their new  Future Art and Culture podcast, exploring the intersection of technology and creativity with Crispin Parry and Almass Badat. Dive into the emerging tech landscape through insightful conversations with art and technology experts.

The Future Art and Culture podcast is produced by British Underground and Arts Council England with partnership support from the British Council. Listen HERE