Allegations of Abuse by AbleGamers Founder Revealed by Former Staff, Community

In 2004, AbleGamers was founded as a beacon of hope, dedicated to amplifying the voices of disabled gamers and pushing for greater accessibility within the gaming industry. Over nearly two decades, the organization has become a pivotal force, speaking at industry events, raising millions through annual charity events, and serving as a vital resource for both developers and players. AbleGamers and video game accessibility have become almost synonymous, recognized by journalists, developers, and the gaming community as a key driver in advancing inclusivity in gaming.

Mark Barlet, the founder, spearheaded collaborations with major studios such as Xbox to develop the Xbox Adaptive Controller and PlayStation to create the Access Controller. They also partnered with Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Beyond these partnerships, AbleGamers has acted as a consultant to developers, offering insights on implementing accessibility options in games. While they once provided adaptive gaming equipment to individuals with disabilities, this initiative has been discontinued. As the accessibility movement has grown, so too has AbleGamers' influence in the gaming world.

However, 20 years into its journey, troubling reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community have emerged, alleging abuse, financial mismanagement, and a lack of oversight from the board.

Advocating Under Strenuous Conditions

Mark Barlet's vision for AbleGamers was to foster a space where disabled gamers felt included and celebrated. According to the AbleGamers website, the organization offered services like peer counseling, community building for disabled individuals, and consulting services. Yet, behind the scenes, the environment reportedly did not align with these goals.

A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, described a troubling shift in Barlet's behavior during their decade-long tenure. They recounted instances of sexist and emotionally abusive comments directed towards them, including being assigned HR responsibilities simply because they were the only woman in the charity, despite lacking the proper credentials. The source also highlighted Barlet's inappropriate remarks and behaviors, including racist comments, aggressive conflicts with coworkers, and derogatory comments about disabled individuals used for marketing purposes.

The source further detailed Barlet's sexually explicit comments made during staff meetings, which were particularly distressing, such as remarks about their physical appearance shortly after giving birth. They noted that while Barlet could be supportive and friendly to new employees, his behavior towards them became increasingly hostile as they challenged his actions.

Toxicity Outside the Charity

Barlet's alleged inappropriate behavior extended beyond AbleGamers. The source reported that he would belittle or insult other accessibility advocates, seemingly wanting AbleGamers to monopolize the accessibility space. At industry events like The Game Accessibility Conference, Barlet reportedly criticized other speakers and advocates, undermining their efforts and contributions.

Other accessibility advocates corroborated these accounts, describing Barlet's disruptive behavior during meetings and his attempts to claim ownership over their work, threatening to use his industry contacts to sabotage their projects if they did not comply.

Financial Mismanagement

As the founder and former Executive Director, Barlet was instrumental in launching new initiatives for AbleGamers. The charity received significant donations under the pretense of aiding disabled gamers, but questions have arisen regarding the allocation of these funds. A former employee highlighted Barlet's alleged wasteful spending, including first-class travel, unnecessary hotel stays, and lavish meals for office staff, many of whom worked remotely.

Notable expenditures included a van purchased during the pandemic that went unused and a Tesla charger installed at the headquarters, used only by Barlet himself. Internally, there were concerns about the organization's finances, with the board eventually hiring a Certified Public Accountant as CFO. Despite the CFO's warnings about financial issues, the board reportedly did not act, and the CFO left the organization.

There were also discrepancies in staff salaries, with some employees earning more than their superiors, suggesting favoritism and inconsistent salary structures.

Leadership Failures

Both former employees pointed to leadership failures, particularly from the independent board, in protecting employees and addressing issues in a timely manner. Barlet allegedly controlled communication with the board, preventing other staff from voicing concerns. An investigation by ADP recommended Barlet's immediate termination due to severe allegations, but the board reportedly ignored these findings.

In June 2024, following multiple EEOC complaints filed against AbleGamers for racism, ableism, sexual harassment, and misogyny, the board finally began an internal investigation. However, the process was slow, and communication with staff was lacking. Barlet was eventually asked to step down, but the board's handling of the situation, including the use of a law firm with ties to AbleGamers for the investigation, raised questions about impartiality.

After Barlet's departure, several employees who had spoken out against him were allegedly fired, suggesting retaliation. The board's lack of transparency and action throughout the process was a significant point of contention.

Former leadership, including Steven Spohn, reportedly attempted to dissuade former employees from speaking out, using manipulative language to protect 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 sectors. When confronted with allegations of workplace abuse and harassment, Barlet claimed an independent third-party investigation found no merit to these claims. He suggested the allegations surfaced after he was advised to reduce the workforce.

Barlet denied claims of harassing members of the disability community, attributing any negative feedback to his high profile in the industry. He justified expenditures on in-office meals and extended hotel stays as necessary for business development, and defended first-class travel as part of a board-approved policy, citing his disability as a reason for his own use of such flights.

Regarding the Tesla charger and salary discrepancies, Barlet refuted the allegations, claiming the charger was merely a plug and that salaries were based on education, experience, and position. He maintained that board members were accessible via Slack, though sources contradicted this, stating the independent board was not available through the company's communication channels.

Throughout his responses, Barlet provided no documentation to support his claims, insisting on off-the-record discussions. For many in the disabled gaming community, AbleGamers was a source of hope and advocacy. However, the reported behavior and financial mismanagement by leadership have cast a shadow over the organization's mission. For the first source, the experience was particularly devastating, shattering their dream career at AbleGamers.