Allegations of Abuse by AbleGamers Founder Surface from Ex-Staff, Community

In 2004, AbleGamers was founded as a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower disabled individuals through gaming and improve accessibility across the industry. For nearly two decades, the group became a leading voice in accessibility advocacy, regularly presenting at major events, raising millions of dollars through annual charity drives, and serving as a go-to resource for both developers and players. Over time, AbleGamers became practically synonymous with video game accessibility, often cited by media outlets, studios, and the public as a critical force driving inclusive design forward.

AbleGamers was founded by Mark Barlet, who worked closely with major studios such as Xbox on the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation on the Access Controller, and even collaborated with Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Beyond product development, AbleGamers also served as an accessibility consultant for game developers, offering guidance on how to implement inclusive features. While the organization once provided adaptive gaming equipment directly to individuals, that initiative has since been discontinued. As the movement for accessible gaming grew, so too did AbleGamers’ influence and reach within the broader gaming landscape.

A Shadow Behind the Mission

Despite its outward success and reputation, recent reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community reveal troubling allegations of workplace abuse, financial mismanagement, and leadership failures spanning several years. These accounts paint a stark contrast to the organization’s public image and raise serious concerns about internal governance and accountability.

Workplace Culture Under Fire

According to a verified former employee who spent approximately a decade with the organization, Mark Barlet’s behavior began to raise red flags shortly after their arrival. The source described a pattern of sexist, emotionally abusive, and discriminatory conduct directed toward them and others over the years. They recounted being told they were “HR for the charity because I’m a woman,” despite lacking any formal training or title in human resources. This led to the individual being improperly assigned to handle sensitive HR matters without proper qualifications.

The source further detailed overhearing racist remarks, witnessing conflicts between Barlet and other staff, and enduring sexually suggestive comments made in front of colleagues. During one meeting held just two months after giving birth, the source recalled Barlet making inappropriate comments about their physical appearance, followed by a mocking gesture. The source said these behaviors escalated whenever they attempted to speak out, with Barlet often deflecting criticism by claiming he was “just joking.”

Hostility Beyond Internal Walls

Barlet’s alleged toxicity wasn’t limited to internal operations. Former accessibility advocates describe hostile encounters at industry events, where Barlet reportedly belittled other advocates and dismissed their contributions. One anonymous advocate recalled him interrupting a presentation with repeated shouts of “Shut up! You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Another claimed Barlet referred to them as “a drop in the pond of accessibility” and declared, “I own the pond.” In another instance, he allegedly demanded full control over collaborative work and threatened to use his industry connections to sabotage the project if denied.

Financial Concerns and Questionable Spending

Allegations of financial mismanagement have also surfaced, with former employees describing questionable spending habits that seemed disconnected from the organization’s mission. Leadership reportedly voiced concerns about escalating costs, including luxury travel arrangements, extended hotel stays unrelated to official events, and unnecessary purchases like a Tesla vehicle charger installed at headquarters—despite no other employees owning Tesla vehicles. A van purchased during the pandemic remained largely unused due to quarantine restrictions, yet still drained organizational funds.

Additionally, there were reported inconsistencies in salary structures, with some junior-level employees earning more than senior staff. Directors and senior directors reportedly disagreed with the pay structure, citing favoritism rather than merit as the determining factor behind compensation decisions.

Leadership Failures and Board Oversight

Former staff claim the board failed to act decisively despite warnings from internal leaders and external investigations. A Certified Public Accountant hired as CFO reportedly raised alarms about financial instability but received little support before eventually leaving the organization. Employees attempting to contact the board were reportedly blocked by Barlet, who controlled all communication channels—including social media, bank accounts, and email access.

An internal investigation conducted by a law firm tied to AbleGamers raised concerns about impartiality, especially given prior professional ties between the firm and Barlet. Despite findings from third-party ADP investigations recommending immediate termination of Barlet, the board delayed action until September 2024, long after multiple EEOC complaints had been filed. Several employees who participated in the investigation were later terminated, raising suspicions of retaliation.

Aftermath and Continued Fallout

Mark Barlet stepped down from his role under pressure and later co-founded AccessForge, a new consulting firm focused on accessibility beyond gaming. When asked about the allegations, he stated that an independent third-party investigation found no evidence of misconduct. However, sources dispute the independence of the investigation and note that it was conducted internally by a legal team connected to AbleGamers and Barlet himself.

Barlet defended various expenditures, claiming meals were modest and travel upgrades were approved under a formal policy. He also denied installing a Tesla charger, instead referring to it as a “plug.” Yet, former employees and board members recall otherwise and expressed frustration over the unnecessary expense.

To this day, many former employees express emotional distress over their experiences. For one former staff member, the fallout was deeply personal:

“I cried a lot to my family, friends, and therapist because that was my dream job.”

For years, AbleGamers represented hope for accessibility in gaming. But behind the scenes, leadership allegedly fostered a culture of fear, exclusion, and mismanagement—contradicting the very values the organization publicly championed. As the industry continues to push for greater inclusion, the lessons from AbleGamers serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in advocacy spaces.