In 2004, AbleGamers was founded as a beacon of hope and progress within the gaming industry, dedicated to enhancing accessibility and uplifting disabled voices. Over the past two decades, this nonprofit has been a pivotal force, delivering insightful talks at industry events, raising millions through annual charity events, and serving as a vital resource for both developers and gamers. AbleGamers has become synonymous with video game accessibility, earning the respect and attention of reporters, developers, and the public for its role in advancing this critical area.

Founded by Mark Barlet, the organization has collaborated with major players like Xbox to develop the [ttpp]Xbox Adaptive Controller[ttpp], PlayStation for the [ttpp]Access Controller[ttpp], and even partnered with [ttpp]Bungie for exclusive merchandise[ttpp]. Beyond these partnerships, [ttpp]AbleGamers has acted as consultants, guiding developers on how to implement accessibility options in their games[ttpp]. While they once provided adaptive gaming equipment directly to individuals with disabilities, this initiative has since been discontinued. As the movement for accessibility has grown, so too has AbleGamers' influence across the gaming landscape.

However, recent reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community have shed light on troubling issues within AbleGamers. Allegations of abuse, financial mismanagement by leadership, and a lack of oversight by the board have emerged, casting a shadow over the organization's mission.

Advocating Under Strenuous Conditions

Mark Barlet's vision for AbleGamers was to foster a charity that celebrated the inclusion of disabled gamers. As stated on the [ttpp]AbleGamers website[ttpp], Barlet led the organization to offer services such as peer counseling, community building for disabled individuals, and consulting services. Yet, behind the scenes, the environment reportedly failed to embody these mission goals.

A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted a troubling experience during their approximately ten-year tenure with the charity. They described instances of sexist and emotionally abusive comments directed at them by Barlet. The employee shared, "He kept telling me I was HR for the charity because I'm a woman," noting that they were the only female employee at the time and were improperly assigned to handle an HR case.

The former employee also experienced aggressive behavior from Barlet, both directed at them and others within the company. They recounted overhearing racist remarks, intervening in conflicts, and witnessing inappropriate comments from Barlet, 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 behavior reportedly included obscene gestures and mocking individuals with physical disabilities.

Furthermore, the source reported that Barlet made sexually explicit remarks about them in front of others, including during staff meetings. They recounted an incident two months postpartum when Barlet made inappropriate comments about their body. The source noted that while Barlet initially supported new employees, his behavior turned hostile when they spoke out against him.

Toxicity Outside the Charity

Barlet's alleged negative behaviors extended beyond AbleGamers, affecting other accessibility advocates in the industry. The source reported that Barlet would belittle or insult other advocates, seemingly wanting AbleGamers to be the sole authority on accessibility. At [ttpp]The Game Accessibility Conference[ttpp], Barlet reportedly criticized almost every speaker, undermining their contributions and credibility.

An anonymous accessibility advocate corroborated Barlet's disruptive behavior at industry events, noting his interruptions and dismissive attitude during a major initiative meeting. Another advocate shared that Barlet claimed ownership over the accessibility field, stating, "You are a drop in the pond of accessibility. And I own the pond." Additionally, Barlet allegedly demanded control over collaborative projects and threatened to sabotage them if his demands were not met.

Financial Mismanagement

Barlet's influence on AbleGamers extended to financial decisions, raising concerns about mismanagement. The charity received millions in donations to support its mission of aiding disabled gamers. However, a former employee highlighted Barlet's alleged wasteful spending, including first-class tickets, unnecessary hotel stays, and extravagant meals for remote staff.

A significant point of contention was the purchase of a van during the pandemic, which the source described as a sunk cost that did not benefit the organization. Another controversial expenditure was the installation of a Tesla charger at the headquarters, which only Barlet used. The independent board's review of financial statements revealed frustration over such expenditures.

Internally, discrepancies in salary distribution were noted, with some employees earning more than their superiors, suggesting favoritism and inconsistent raises. The source mentioned that senior directors often disagreed with Barlet's high salary and the lack of transparency in financial management.

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 left and later returned to the organization.

Both former employees criticized the board for not protecting staff and failing to address issues promptly. The source noted that Barlet intentionally kept the board distant, preventing staff from communicating directly with them. In April 2024, an investigation by [ttpp]ADP[ttpp], a payroll and HR service, recommended Barlet's immediate termination, but the board allegedly ignored these findings.

In May 2024, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint was filed, followed by others citing racism, ableism, sexual harassment, and misogyny. The board's internal investigation was criticized for its slow response and lack of transparency. Staff were left uninformed about project directions, leadership roles, budget statuses, and the investigation process.

The internal investigation was conducted by a law firm with ties to AbleGamers, raising questions about its impartiality. Barlet's control over the organization's digital infrastructure further complicated transparency efforts.

Barlet's departure in September 2024 was controversial, with staff directed to refer to his LinkedIn statement. Employees who spoke out against Barlet's behavior were allegedly fired, and even after his exit, the board reportedly retaliated against them. Former leadership, including Steven Spohn, attempted to dissuade former employees from speaking out, citing concerns about the charity's reputation.

Barlet's Comments

Following his departure, Barlet, along with Cheryl Mitchell, founded [ttpp]AccessForge[ttpp], an accessibility consulting group offering services across various industries. In response to allegations of workplace abuse and harassment, Barlet claimed an independent third-party investigation cleared him of wrongdoing, asserting that these claims surfaced after he was advised to reduce the workforce.

Regarding his interactions with the disability community, Barlet acknowledged not everyone liked him but did not directly address the specific allegations. He justified in-office meal expenses as a perk for the employees who regularly visited the office, denying claims of extravagance.

Barlet also defended extended hotel stays as necessary for securing significant donations and partnerships, and explained first-class flight purchases as part of a board-approved travel policy, citing his disability as a reason for such accommodations. However, an AbleGamers employee handbook contradicted his claims about expense policies, and sources disputed his assertions about salary fairness and the Tesla charger installation.

Barlet claimed board members were accessible via Slack, but sources clarified that this did not include the independent board responsible for investigating his departure. Throughout his interactions with IGN, Barlet provided no evidence to refute the allegations, only his statements, and refused to provide documentation unless interviews were off the record.

For many disabled players, AbleGamers represented a beacon of hope and inclusion. Yet, the reported internal issues and leadership failures have undermined this mission. The first source expressed the profound impact of these events, stating, "It definitely crushed me. I cried a lot to my family, friends, and therapist because that was my dream job. [Barlet] just burned it to the ground."