Indie Developer Dani Devesa Derksen-Staats Launches Accessible Game & Reading App for Apple Devices

Independent developer Dani Devesa Derksen-Staats has released two new apps focused on accessibility: the retro racing game RetroRapid and the reading tool Xarra. Speaking on the Double Tap podcast, he outlined how both projects prioritise usability across Apple platforms, with accessibility integrated from the outset.

Devesa Derksen-Staats explained that RetroRapid, a retro LCD-style racing game inspired by 1980s handhelds, began as a side project before gaining attention at the ARCtic iOS development conference in Finland. “I showed it to some people there, and it quickly gained interest,” he said, prompting him to complete and release the game shortly after.

The game has been designed with multiple input methods, including taps, swipes, keyboards, game controllers, and the Apple Watch Digital Crown. It also supports VoiceOver through features such as Direct Touch, alongside audio cues and haptic feedback to help players build a mental map of the gameplay. “Accessibility is about offering a range of possibilities and letting people choose the one that works best for them,” he said. Feedback from the AppleVis community was used during development to refine usability.

His second app, Xarra, has been developed as a reading and listening tool that allows users to import text, PDFs, and web content. It combines audio playback with synchronised on-screen highlighting at line or word level. Devesa Derksen-Staats said the app was inspired by his own need to maintain focus during longer reading sessions. Xarra includes support for VoiceOver, Switch Control, Full Keyboard Access, and Voice Control, and preserves image descriptions in audio output. It also uses Apple Intelligence and Foundation Models to convert code blocks into natural language when listening to technical content.

Both apps are free to try, with optional paid features, and 10% of revenue is donated to AMMEC, a Valencia-based non-profit supporting people with physical disabilities.

The launch highlights how independent developers are contributing to accessible technology across both entertainment and productivity. RetroRapid demonstrates that fast-paced games can be designed with screen reader access in mind, while Xarra reflects growing interest in multi-sensory reading tools that support focus and comprehension.

Resources

• https://accessibilityupto11.com/apps
• https://accessibilityupto11.com
• https://www.apple.com/accessibility