In 2004, AbleGamers emerged as a nonprofit committed to amplifying disabled voices and enhancing accessibility in gaming. For nearly two decades, it delivered presentations at industry events, raised millions through annual charity events, and served as a vital resource for developers and players. The organization became a cornerstone of video game accessibility, earning recognition from journalists, developers, and the public as a key advocate for inclusive gaming.

Founded by Mark Barlet, AbleGamers collaborated with major studios like Xbox on the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation on the Access Controller, and Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Beyond partnerships, AbleGamers offered consulting to developers on integrating accessibility features into games. While it once provided adaptive gaming equipment to disabled individuals, that program has since been discontinued. As the accessibility movement gained traction, AbleGamers’ influence in the industry grew significantly.

Yet, nearly 20 years after its founding, accounts from former employees and accessibility community members reveal allegations of abuse, financial mismanagement by leadership, and a board that failed to safeguard its staff.

Challenging Work Environment

Mark Barlet established AbleGamers to champion disabled inclusion in gaming. According to its website, the organization provided peer counseling, fostered community for disabled individuals, and offered consulting services. However, sources describe a workplace that contradicted these goals.

A former employee, speaking anonymously, reported troubling behavior from Barlet a few years into their decade-long tenure. They recounted multiple instances of sexist and emotionally abusive remarks directed at them.

“He repeatedly said I was HR because I’m a woman,” the source stated. “As the only woman at the time, he assigned me to an HR case that I later learned was illegal, as I lacked the qualifications.”

The source noted that Barlet mocked the HR case for weeks, creating discomfort among staff. They added that he frequently referred to her as HR because she was “the woman in the group.”

Over their 10-year employment, the source experienced ongoing aggressive behavior from Barlet, both toward them and others. They overheard racist comments about colleagues, intervened in a heated dispute between Barlet and a coworker, and witnessed inappropriate remarks, including, “We need the most severely disabled person for our marketing, someone with multiple disabilities.” The source described Barlet making crude gestures, mocking those with physical disabilities.

Barlet also allegedly made sexually explicit comments about the source in front of others, particularly during staff meetings or in-person interactions.

“At an all-hands meeting, two months postpartum, he commented in front of everyone that my breasts were so large he wouldn’t know how to handle them,” the source said. “A week later, he approached me, gesturing toward my chest, saying, ‘Haha, they’re so big, I wouldn’t know how to handle them because I’m gay.’”

The source noted that Barlet initially supported new hires but grew hostile as they advanced. When confronted about his behavior, he dismissed it as joking. The source said his aggression intensified whenever she challenged him.

Hostility Beyond the Organization

Barlet’s alleged misconduct extended outside AbleGamers. Sources claim he belittled or insulted other accessibility advocates, seemingly intent on positioning AbleGamers as the sole authority in the field. He reportedly disparaged or threatened those gaining prominence.

“At [The Game Accessibility Conference], he criticized nearly every speaker,” a source said. “He called one advocate, who worked with Xbox Accessibility, incompetent, claiming she only succeeded because of her father.”

Another anonymous advocate corroborated Barlet’s behavior at industry events. During a business meeting on major initiatives, Barlet grew agitated, repeatedly interrupting with, “Shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” dominating a 30-minute presentation.

A third advocate reported that Barlet, upon learning of their interest in accessibility, declared over a call, “You’re a drop in the accessibility pond, and I own the pond.”

Another advocate alleged that during collaboration talks, Barlet demanded they surrender their work, claiming AbleGamers would take ownership. He reportedly threatened to sabotage their project using his “deep industry contacts” if they refused.

Financial Irregularities

Barlet’s impact went beyond interpersonal issues. As AbleGamers’ founder and former Executive Director, he spearheaded initiatives funded by millions in donations. However, questions have surfaced about how these funds were used. A second anonymous former employee described Barlet’s spending as excessive, often unrelated to the organization’s mission.

“In Q4 2023, senior leaders discussed finances extensively,” the source said. “Revenues were low, and expenses were spiraling.”

The source highlighted first-class flights for select leaders, extended hotel stays beyond event dates, and lavish office meals for a largely remote workforce. Employees frequently questioned non-essential spending, such as Barlet’s purchase of a branded van during the pandemic, which the source said “served no purpose” amid remote work.

Both sources cited the installation of a Tesla charger at headquarters. “Mark installed it for himself; no one else drove a Tesla,” the first source said. The second source noted that the board, reviewing financial statements, expressed dismay over the purchase.

Salary disparities also caused friction. “Some non-directors earned more than senior directors,” the second source said. “Raises lacked consistency, and favoritism seemed evident.”

Leadership Shortcomings

Amid financial concerns, the board hired a CPA as Chief Financial Officer, who reportedly warned, “Something is terribly wrong with our finances.” Despite this, the board took no action, and the CFO left by late 2023, though they allegedly returned later.

Both sources criticized the board’s failure to protect employees. The first source claimed Barlet restricted board access, saying, “He ensured only he communicated with them. Even top leaders didn’t know who they were.”

In April 2024, a former employee prompted an ADP investigation, which recommended Barlet’s immediate termination. The board allegedly ignored this. By May, an EEOC complaint was filed, followed by another, citing racism, ableism, sexual harassment, and leadership’s failure to act. The board’s internal investigation, launched in June 2024, was criticized as slow and biased due to ties with a law firm connected to AbleGamers.

“I questioned the investigation’s fairness,” the first source said. “The law firm had a working relationship with Barlet.”

Barlet’s departure in September 2024 followed the investigation, but employees who raised concerns faced alleged retaliation, with several fired by December. The board’s lack of transparency and Barlet’s control over accounts exacerbated issues.

Barlet’s Response

Barlet and former AbleGamers Director Cheryl Mitchell founded AccessForge, a consulting group serving various industries. Addressing workplace allegations, Barlet claimed an independent investigation found them baseless, though sources questioned its impartiality. He suggested the allegations arose after workforce reduction advice.

On harassing community members, Barlet said, “Not everyone liked me. No one is universally liked.”

Regarding in-office meals, he noted seven to nine employees worked on-site weekly, with meals like “Chipotle or Chick-fil-A” as perks. On extended hotel stays, he claimed they facilitated high-value meetings, citing a $100,000 contract and a $75,000 donation. For first-class flights, he referenced a board-approved policy allowing upgrades for directors on long flights, citing his disability.

An employee handbook, however, emphasized expense restraint, and sources disputed Barlet’s claims, alleging he denied others’ upgrade requests while boasting about his own. Barlet denied the Tesla charger purchase, calling it a plug, though sources and board members confirmed a full unit.

Barlet claimed board members were accessible via Slack, but sources said only the internal board was reachable, not the independent one. He provided no evidence to counter allegations, refusing to share documentation unless off-record.

For many disabled gamers, AbleGamers was a symbol of hope. Yet, alleged leadership failures and Barlet’s actions tarnished its mission. “It was my dream job,” the first source said. “Barlet destroyed it.”