AbleGamers Founder Accused of Fostering Abuse Behind Closed Doors

In 2004, AbleGamers was established as a beacon of hope for the gaming community, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing accessibility and amplifying disabled voices within the industry. Over the past two decades, the organization has made significant strides by presenting talks at industry events, raising millions through annual charity events, and serving as a vital resource for both developers and players. AbleGamers has become synonymous with video game accessibility, earning a reputation as a key player in driving inclusive gaming experiences forward.

Founded by Mark Barlet, AbleGamers collaborated with major studios such as Xbox to develop the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation for the Access Controller, and even partnered with Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Beyond these industry partnerships, AbleGamers has positioned itself as a consultant, guiding developers on implementing accessibility features in their games. Although they once provided adaptive gaming equipment to disabled individuals, this initiative has been discontinued. As the accessibility movement has grown, so too has AbleGamers’ influence and presence in the gaming industry.

However, recent reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community have surfaced, revealing troubling allegations of abuse, financial mismanagement, and a board that allegedly failed to protect its employees.

Advocating Under Strenuous Conditions

Mark Barlet’s vision for AbleGamers was to create a charity that celebrated disabled inclusion in gaming. According to the AbleGamers website, Barlet led the organization to offer services like peer counseling, foster a sense of community for disabled individuals, and provide consulting services. However, behind the scenes, the environment reportedly did not align with these mission goals.

A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, described a concerning shift in Barlet’s behavior several years into their approximately 10-year tenure. The source recounted instances of sexist and emotionally abusive comments directed at them, including being told they were HR for the charity simply because they were the only woman employed there. This led to them being involved in an HR case they were not qualified to handle, which Barlet allegedly made light of, causing discomfort among staff.

The source also reported witnessing aggressive behavior from Barlet, including racist remarks about other employees, intervening in conflicts, and inappropriate comments such as, “We need to get the most f\*\*\*ed up disabled person to be on our marketing, the one with real multiple disabilities.” Barlet’s alleged mocking of individuals with physical disabilities and sexually explicit remarks, especially during staff meetings, created a hostile work environment. The source noted that Barlet would initially befriend new employees, but as they grew within the organization, the harassment would intensify. When confronted, Barlet reportedly deflected, claiming his comments were mere jokes.

Toxicity Outside the Charity

Barlet’s alleged inappropriate behavior extended beyond AbleGamers. He reportedly demeaned and insulted other accessibility advocates, seemingly wanting AbleGamers to be the sole resource for accessibility in the gaming industry. At events like The Game Accessibility Conference, Barlet allegedly criticized speakers and other advocates, undermining their efforts and claiming superiority over others in the field.

An anonymous accessibility advocate corroborated Barlet’s disruptive behavior at industry events, describing how Barlet would interrupt discussions and speak over others. Another advocate reported that Barlet claimed ownership over the accessibility field, stating, "You are a drop in the pond of accessibility. And I own the pond.” Yet another advocate shared how Barlet demanded ownership of their work and threatened to sabotage projects if demands were not met.

Financial Mismanagement

As the founder and former Executive Director, Barlet’s influence on AbleGamers’ financial decisions raised concerns. The charity, which received millions in donations, allegedly experienced wasteful spending. A former employee noted that in the fourth quarter of 2023, senior leaders expressed concerns about the organization's finances, highlighting out-of-control expenses and poor revenue.

Reportedly, funds were used for first-class tickets, extended hotel stays, and lavish meals for office staff, most of whom worked remotely. The purchase of a van during the pandemic, which was underutilized due to quarantine measures, was cited as an example of non-essential spending. Additionally, the installation of a Tesla charger at the headquarters, used only by Barlet, drew criticism from the board and staff.

Internal discrepancies over salaries were also noted, with some employees earning more than their superiors, allegedly due to favoritism. The source highlighted a lack of consistency in raises and salary adjustments, causing tension among the staff.

Leadership Failures

Amidst financial concerns, AbleGamers’ board hired a Certified Public Accountant as Chief Financial Officer, who reportedly raised alarms about the organization's finances. Despite these warnings, the board allegedly failed to act, and the CFO eventually left the organization.

Both former employees noted that the board's inaction was exacerbated by Barlet’s control over communications. The source described how Barlet restricted access to the board, preventing staff from addressing their concerns directly. An investigation by ADP in April 2024 recommended Barlet’s immediate termination due to the severity of the allegations, yet the board allegedly ignored these findings.

In June 2024, following EEOC complaints filed by former employees citing racism, ableism, sexual harassment, misogyny, and leadership failures, the board began an internal investigation. However, the response was deemed slow and inadequate, with staff left uninformed about project directions, leadership changes, and budget statuses. Barlet’s removal from the organization in September 2024 was followed by controversy, with severance payments and alleged retaliation against employees who spoke out against him.

Despite Barlet’s departure, former leadership continued to hinder progress. Steven Spohn, previously acting as a mediator, allegedly used manipulative language to discourage former employees from speaking out, fearing damage to the charity’s reputation.

Barlet’s Comments

After leaving AbleGamers, Barlet, along with Cheryl Mitchell, founded AccessForge, a consulting group offering accessibility services across various industries. When addressing allegations of workplace abuse and harassment, Barlet claimed that an internal investigation found no merit to these claims, asserting that the accusations arose after he suggested workforce reductions.

Barlet also defended his spending decisions, explaining that office meals were a perk for the staff and that extended hotel stays facilitated important meetings with donors and companies. He justified first-class flights as part of a board-approved travel policy and due to his disability. Regarding salaries, Barlet stated that compensation was based on education, experience, and position, a claim disputed by sources who felt underpaid relative to their qualifications.

Barlet denied the allegations about the Tesla charger, describing it as a simple plug rather than a full unit. He also refuted claims of restricted access to the board, stating that members were available through Slack. However, sources clarified that only the internal board was accessible, not the independent board responsible for the investigation.

Throughout his responses, Barlet provided no evidence to refute the allegations, repeatedly refusing to share documentation or corroborating sources unless interviews were off the record.

For many disabled players, AbleGamers represented a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the gaming world. However, the alleged misconduct and mismanagement by leadership have tarnished this image. For the first source, the experience at AbleGamers was devastating, turning a dream job into a nightmare.