In 2004, AbleGamers emerged as a nonprofit committed to amplifying disabled voices and enhancing accessibility within the gaming sector. Over nearly two decades, the organization delivered impactful presentations at industry events, generated significant funds through annual charitable initiatives, and served as a trusted resource for developers and gamers alike. Its association with video game accessibility became widely recognized, with reporters, developers, and the public viewing it as pivotal in driving progress in this area.
Founded by Mark Barlet, AbleGamers collaborated with major studios like Xbox to develop the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation to introduce the Access Controller, and even partnered with Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Besides industry alliances, AbleGamers positioned itself as a consultant to developers, educating them on integrating accessibility features into games. Although the organization once supplied adaptive gaming equipment to disabled individuals, it has since discontinued this initiative as the accessibility movement expanded, boosting AbleGamers' influence and visibility across the industry.
However, nearly two decades after its inception, recent reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community expose troubling allegations of abuse, financial mismanagement, and a board that neglected to safeguard its workforce.
Advocating Under Strenuous Conditions
Mark Barlet envisioned AbleGamers as a charity celebrating disabled inclusion in gaming. As per a post on the AbleGamers website, Barlet guided the organization to deliver services such as peer counseling for clients, fostering a sense of community among disabled individuals, and offering consulting services. Yet, behind the scenes, sources recount an atmosphere that starkly contrasted with the organization's stated mission.
A former employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, recounts that Barlet's behavior became problematic a few years into their tenure. During their approximate 10-year stint at the charity, the source recounts several instances of sexist and emotionally abusive remarks directed at them.
“He kept telling me I was HR for the charity because I’m a woman,” the source said. “At this time, I was the only woman in the charity. He then sent me to work on a literal HR case that I now know was really illegal of me because I didn’t have those credentials.”
The source alleges that Barlet occasionally mocked the aforementioned HR case for weeks, creating discomfort among employees. Barlet allegedly commented on several occasions that the source was HR because they were “the woman of the group.”
The source endured behaviors they perceived as aggressive, both directed at them and other colleagues, throughout their 10-year tenure. They recount overhearing racist remarks about other employees, intervening in a verbal altercation between Barlet and a coworker, and observing numerous 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.” In this instance, the source notes that Barlet followed up with obscene gestures, mocking individuals with physical disabilities.
Barlet reportedly made sexually explicit remarks and comments about the source in front of others, especially during staff meetings or when working in person.
“During an all-hands internal meeting, I was two months postpartum, and before the meeting, everyone was either in call or in the conference room physically, and he said my jugs had gotten so big that he wouldn’t know how to handle them,” the source said. “About a week later, we were walking past each other, and he went up to me with his hands outstretched hovering over my \[chest\] and said ‘Haha, they’re so big, I wouldn’t know how to handle them because I’m gay.’”
The source acknowledges that Barlet would initially be supportive and befriended new hires, but as they advanced within the organization, harassment would ensue. Each time Barlet was confronted about his inappropriate conduct, he would deflect, claiming he was merely joking. The source confirms that Barlet’s behavior worsened whenever they spoke out against him.
Toxicity Outside the Charity
Barlet’s allegedly hostile and inappropriate actions were not confined to AbleGamers. The source notes that Barlet would belittle or insult other accessibility advocates within the space. To them, it seemed Barlet desired AbleGamers to be the sole resource for accessibility in the industry, and when others gained prominence, he would disparage them at best and threaten them at worst.
“Especially at \[The Game Accessibility Conference\], he said something about almost every speaker that came up,” the source said. “Anyone that either spoke or was an advocate, just how they are idiots. One woman that I know worked closely with Xbox Accessibility, he would tout that she only got there because of her father, and she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
An anonymous accessibility advocate confirmed Barlet’s behavior at industry events. At a meeting discussing major initiatives, the source recalls Barlet growing irate. Whenever accessibility was discussed, Barlet would loudly interrupt by saying, “Shut up, shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” and proceed to talk over them for the entire 30-minute presentation.
Another accessibility advocate, who wishes to remain anonymous, corroborates Barlet’s behaviors. During a call, Barlet allegedly stated, “You are a drop in the pond of accessibility. And I own the pond.”
Still another accessibility advocate notes that upon discussing a potential collaboration, Barlet demanded the source hand over all their work, asserting that AbleGamers would claim ownership. Barlet allegedly threatened to sabotage the project through his "deep industry contacts" if the source refused.
Financial Mismanagement
Barlet’s adverse effects extend beyond his interpersonal interactions with employees and peers in the accessibility community. As the founder and former Executive Director of AbleGamers, Barlet initiated new programs and initiatives for the organization. Under the guise of aiding disabled players, the charity amassed millions in donations from studios and players alike. However, questions now arise regarding how these funds were utilized.
According to a former AbleGamers employee who wishes to remain anonymous, Barlet’s excessive spending caused internal tensions. Allegedly, his access to funds did little to advance the mission, instead resulting in wasteful expenditures.
“In the fourth quarter of 2023, senior leaders at the org had been talking about \[finances\] for quite some time,” the source said. “We were really wanting to get a sense of how to develop our budgets as pillar leads. This came to light where a lot of the senior directors had knowledge about the finances, and that the revenues were not great, and that expenses were out of control.”
The source notes that funds were frequently allocated for first-class tickets for certain leadership, hotel accommodations before or after designated events, and expensive meals for office staff, many of whom were remote workers. Internally, employees regularly questioned the financial decisions every time non-essential expenditures were made. This was particularly evident when Barlet purchased a van for taking AbleGamers services on the road. According to the original source, Barlet “bought a van one day, wrapped it, and said we’re doing this. The money just sank. The van did nothing for us.” The purchase occurred during the pandemic, and as the source explains, couldn’t be effectively utilized due to quarantine and work-from-home orders.
Revenues were not great, and expenses were out of control.
Both former employees we spoke to noted the acquisition of a Tesla vehicle charger for the headquarters. According to the original source, some members of leadership directed their teams to be more frugal with their budgets, citing funding concerns. The source explains that “Mark paid to have a Tesla charger at the headquarters. None of us drove a Tesla except him.” The second source notes that the independent board of AbleGamers began "combing through credit card statements or bank transfer statements within the past year. They came across the Tesla charger and expressed frustration with \[Barlet\] using AbleGamers' money to install a Tesla charger." The source explains that Barlet claimed to do this for the organization, but like the first source, notes that nobody within the company drove a Tesla besides Barlet.
Besides non-essential expenditures, the second source notes that internally, there was inconsistency regarding salaries. Leadership frequently questioned why members of the organization were being paid more than those in higher positions, especially since Barlet controlled salary amounts. According to the source, salaries appeared to reflect favoritism, with some employees earning far more for doing significantly less within the company.
“A lot of the directors including senior directors did not agree that Mark should be drawing that much of a salary, that was always a point of contention," the source said. "There were people that were not directors making more than directors. There were senior directors making less than directors. There were people doing next to nothing making almost the highest amount, minus \[Barlet\]. There was a lack of consistency with raises here and there."
Leadership Failures
In conjunction with Barlet’s financial mismanagement, the original source explains that AbleGamers’ board ordered the hiring of a Certified Public Accountant who was
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