AbleGamers Founder Faces Abuse Allegations

Since its founding in 2004, AbleGamers has stood as a pioneering nonprofit championing accessibility in gaming. For two decades, the organization delivered keynote speeches at major conferences, generated millions through charity fundraisers, and served as a go-to resource for both developers and players. Their reputation grew so inseparable from game accessibility that journalists and studios routinely sought their expertise.

Founder Mark Barlet spearheaded collaborations with industry giants, including Microsoft's Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation's Access Controller, and special merchandise partnerships with Bungie. Beyond hardware initiatives, the organization positioned itself as accessibility consultants, guiding developers on inclusive design — though their direct equipment distribution program for disabled gamers was recently discontinued.

Trouble Behind the Scenes
Beneath this public facade, multiple former employees and accessibility advocates describe a toxic workplace culture marked by alleged harassment, financial irregularities, and institutional failures. Their accounts paint a troubling picture spanning years of operation.

"He repeatedly told me I had to handle HR issues because I was the only woman on staff," recalled one former employee who spent nearly a decade with the organization. "At one point, I was pushed into managing a sensitive HR case without proper credentials or training — something I later learned was inappropriate."

The source detailed numerous alarming incidents, including Barlet allegedly mocking disabled individuals during marketing discussions ("We need someone with real multiple disabilities — the most extreme case"), making sexually inappropriate remarks about postpartum physical changes in staff meetings, and demonstrating patterns of deflection when confronted about his behavior.

Industry-Wide Tensions
Multiple accessibility professionals corroborate similar encounters with Barlet at industry events. One advocate described being interrupted with shouts of "You don't know what you're talking about" during presentations, while another recalled Barlet claiming ownership of the entire accessibility field during a collaboration call: "You're a drop in the pond. And I own the pond."

These accounts suggest Barlet allegedly sought to maintain AbleGamers' industry dominance through aggressive behavior rather than constructive engagement with peers.

Financial Concerns Emerge
Former staffers also voice concerns about organizational finances, describing questionable expenditures including:

First-class travel privileges for leadership on domestic flights
Extended hotel stays beyond event dates
Premium office meals despite most staff working remotely
A pandemic-era van purchase that allegedly sat unused
Installation of a Tesla charger at headquarters reportedly used exclusively by Barlet


Compensation practices also drew scrutiny, with sources describing inconsistent salary structures where some junior staff allegedly earned more than senior colleagues while contributing less work.

Governance Failures
The independent board faced criticism for its delayed response to multiple complaints, including two formal EEOC filings citing racism, ableism, sexual harassment, and misogyny. Sources claim an external HR investigation recommended Barlet's immediate termination, but the board allegedly hesitated for months before action.

Barlet ultimately stepped down in September 2024 with severance — a decision that reportedly frustrated staff. Sources allege subsequent retaliatory terminations targeted employees who participated in investigations. Currently, Barlet has launched AccessForge, a new accessibility consultancy extending beyond gaming.

Responses and Rebuttals
When contacted by IGN, Barlet denied all harassment claims, citing a third-party investigation that allegedly cleared him. Regarding finances, he characterized meals as team-building perks and defended travel policies as board-approved necessities for donor meetings.
 

"Not everyone liked me," Barlet responded when asked about industry relationships. "I think no one can say everyone likes them after a 20-year career."

These controversies have left many questioning how such issues persisted for years at an organization that became synonymous with gaming accessibility. For former employees like our primary source, the experience proved particularly devastating: "I cried to my therapist constantly. This was my dream job, and he burned it all down."