AbleGamers Founder Accused of Fostering Abuse, Say Former Staff and Community

In 2004, AbleGamers emerged as a beacon of hope within the gaming community, dedicated to enhancing accessibility and amplifying the voices of disabled gamers. Over the past two decades, the organization has significantly influenced the industry through its presence at events, raising millions via annual charity initiatives, and serving as a vital resource for both developers and players. AbleGamers became synonymous with video game accessibility, earning recognition from reporters, developers, and the public as a key player in this crucial field.

Founded by Mark Barlet, AbleGamers collaborated with major studios, including Xbox for the development of the Xbox Adaptive Controller and PlayStation for the Access Controller. They also partnered with Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Beyond these partnerships, AbleGamers provided consultancy services, guiding developers on implementing accessibility features in games. Although they once distributed adaptive gaming equipment to disabled individuals, this program has been discontinued. As the accessibility movement gained momentum, AbleGamers' impact and influence across the gaming industry continued to grow.

However, recent reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community have surfaced, alleging a troubling environment under Barlet's leadership. These reports detail accusations of abuse, financial mismanagement, and a board that failed to safeguard its employees.

Advocating Under Strenuous Conditions

Mark Barlet's vision for AbleGamers was to foster a charity that championed the inclusion of disabled gamers. According to the AbleGamers website, the organization aimed to offer services such as peer counseling, a community for disabled individuals, and consulting services. Yet, behind the scenes, the environment reportedly did not align with these mission goals.

A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted their ten-year tenure at the charity. They described Barlet's behavior as concerning, alleging instances of sexist and emotionally abusive comments directed at them. The source claimed Barlet assigned them HR responsibilities due to their gender, despite lacking the necessary credentials, which led to legal issues. The former employee also reported Barlet making light of the situation, causing discomfort among staff. They further described Barlet's alleged aggressive behavior, including racist remarks, inappropriate comments about disabilities for marketing purposes, and sexually explicit remarks about the source in front of colleagues, particularly during staff meetings or in-person work sessions.

The source noted that Barlet would initially support and befriend new employees, but as they progressed within the organization, he reportedly began harassing them. When confronted, Barlet allegedly dismissed his behavior as mere joking, and his hostility escalated each time the source spoke out against him.

Toxicity Outside the Charity

Barlet's alleged toxic behavior extended beyond AbleGamers. The source reported that he frequently belittled or insulted other accessibility advocates, seemingly aiming to position AbleGamers as the sole authority on accessibility in the industry. At events like The Game Accessibility Conference, Barlet allegedly criticized other speakers and advocates, undermining their contributions and credibility.

Anonymous accessibility advocates corroborated these accounts. One advocate recounted Barlet's disruptive behavior during a business meeting, where he interrupted discussions and spoke over others. Another reported Barlet's claim of ownership over the accessibility field, stating, "You are a drop in the pond of accessibility. And I own the pond." A third advocate described Barlet's demand to take over their work and his threat to sabotage it if they refused, citing his extensive industry connections.

Financial Mismanagement

Barlet's impact on AbleGamers extended to financial mismanagement, raising concerns about the allocation of the charity's funds. Despite receiving substantial donations, questions arose about the use of these resources. A former employee noted Barlet's alleged wasteful spending, including first-class travel, extended hotel stays, and lavish meals for staff, despite most employees working remotely.

The purchase of a van during the pandemic, intended for mobile services, was cited as an example of poor financial decision-making, as it remained unused due to quarantine measures. Additionally, the installation of a Tesla charger at the headquarters, used only by Barlet, was a point of contention. The source mentioned that the independent board scrutinized these expenditures, expressing frustration over Barlet's use of charity funds for personal benefits.

Discrepancies in staff salaries were another issue, with allegations of favoritism affecting pay scales. Senior directors reportedly disagreed with Barlet's high salary and the inconsistent compensation across the organization.

Leadership Failures

Amidst financial concerns, the board hired a Certified Public Accountant as Chief Financial Officer, who allegedly raised alarms about the charity's finances. However, the board reportedly failed to act on these warnings, leading to the CFO's departure and subsequent return.

The original source claimed that Barlet intentionally kept the board at arm's length, limiting communication and oversight. This lack of transparency escalated in April 2024 when an investigation by ADP, a payroll and HR service, recommended Barlet's immediate termination due to the severity of allegations. Despite this, the board allegedly ignored the findings.

In June 2024, following EEOC complaints filed by employees alleging racism, ableism, sexual harassment, and misogyny, the board initiated an internal investigation. The response was criticized for being slow and inadequate, with communication to staff being minimal and unclear about the investigation's progress and outcomes. The board's investigation was conducted by a law firm with ties to AbleGamers, raising concerns about its impartiality.

Barlet's departure was announced in September 2024, but the board's handling of the situation continued to draw criticism. Employees who spoke out against Barlet were allegedly terminated, and former leadership, including Steven Spohn, reportedly attempted to dissuade employees from discussing the situation with media outlets.

Barlet's Comments

After leaving AbleGamers, Barlet, along with Cheryl Mitchell, founded AccessForge, an accessibility consulting group serving various industries. In response to allegations of workplace abuse and harassment, Barlet claimed that an independent investigation found no evidence to support these claims. He suggested the allegations arose after he was advised to reduce the workforce and noted that the investigation was conducted internally by a law firm with ties to AbleGamers.

Regarding accusations of harassing members of the disability community, Barlet acknowledged that not everyone liked him, given his long career and numerous interactions. He justified the expenditure on office meals as a perk for employees who visited the office and defended extended hotel stays as necessary for meeting with donors and securing significant contracts. Barlet also claimed that first-class travel was part of a board-approved policy and necessary due to his disability, though he could not provide the policy to IGN. He denied allegations of salary discrepancies and the Tesla charger's installation, asserting it was merely a plug, not a full unit.

Barlet maintained that the board was accessible via Slack, but sources contradicted this, stating the independent board was not available on the platform. Throughout his interactions with IGN, Barlet provided no evidence to refute the allegations, only his statements, and declined to share documentation unless discussions were off the record.

For many disabled players, AbleGamers represented a beacon of hope and advocacy. However, the alleged actions of its leadership have cast a shadow over its mission. The first source expressed deep disappointment, stating that Barlet's behavior destroyed what was once their dream job.