Allegations of Abuse by AbleGamers Founder Revealed by Ex-Staff, Community

In 2004, AbleGamers emerged as a beacon of hope for disabled gamers everywhere. Founded with the mission to elevate underrepresented voices and champion accessibility in gaming, the nonprofit quickly became synonymous with inclusive design and community support. Over two decades, the organization played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards, presenting at major events, raising millions through its annual charity campaigns, and serving as a trusted advisor for developers seeking to make their games more accessible to players with disabilities.

The organization, founded by Mark Barlet, forged powerful partnerships with industry giants such as Xbox—helping develop the groundbreaking Xbox Adaptive Controller—and later collaborated with PlayStation on its Access Controller. It also worked with Bungie to release exclusive merchandise that helped raise awareness and funds for accessibility initiatives. Beyond hardware development, AbleGamers positioned itself as a consultant for studios aiming to integrate inclusive features into their titles.

Prior to shifting focus, the group also offered adaptive gaming equipment directly to individuals with disabilities, although this initiative has since been discontinued. As the accessibility movement gained momentum, so too did AbleGamers’ influence, becoming a go-to resource for both players and developers alike.

Yet, despite its public image as a leader in inclusivity, internal reports from former employees and members of the accessibility community have revealed a starkly different reality—one marked by alleged workplace abuse, financial mismanagement, and leadership failures that undermined the very values the organization claimed to uphold.

A Mission Misaligned

Mark Barlet’s founding vision was rooted in creating a space where disabled individuals could find belonging and empowerment through gaming. According to the AbleGamers website, the organization provided peer counseling, fostered a sense of community, and offered consulting services to game developers. However, behind closed doors, sources describe a culture that strayed far from these ideals.

A former employee who worked at the organization for approximately a decade shared a detailed account of what they described as a hostile work environment. They recalled numerous incidents involving sexist, emotionally abusive, and discriminatory behavior directed toward them and others.

"He kept telling me I was HR for the charity because I’m a woman," the source said. "At that time, I was the only woman in the organization. He then assigned me to handle an HR case I wasn’t qualified for—it was clearly illegal for me to be doing."

This individual recounted how Barlet would often mock the situation publicly, making light of the responsibilities he had placed on them without proper training or credentials. The source also described overhearing racist remarks, witnessing conflicts between Barlet and colleagues, and enduring sexually suggestive comments made in front of others.

In one particularly disturbing instance, the source recalled being singled out during a staff meeting just two months after giving birth.

"During an all-hands meeting, I was two months postpartum. Before the meeting, he commented on how big my breasts had gotten and joked about not knowing how to handle them," they said. "About a week later, he walked past me with his hands outstretched near my chest and said, 'Haha, they’re so big, I wouldn’t know how to handle them because I’m gay.'"

According to the source, Barlet would initially welcome new hires warmly but gradually become more aggressive and inappropriate over time. Every time they or others attempted to address his behavior, he would deflect, claiming it was “just a joke.” The source noted that each time they pushed back, Barlet’s conduct worsened.

Hostility Beyond the Office

Barlet’s allegedly toxic behavior extended beyond the AbleGamers office and into broader accessibility circles. The source described how Barlet often belittled other advocates, seemingly threatened by anyone gaining visibility in the field.

"At [The Game Accessibility Conference], he would comment negatively on almost every speaker," the source said. "Anyone who spoke or advocated for accessibility was dismissed as an idiot. One woman who worked closely with Xbox Accessibility, he claimed only got there because of her father and didn't know what she was doing."

Another anonymous advocate corroborated these claims, recalling a tense business meeting where Barlet repeatedly interrupted them.

"Every time we tried to discuss accessibility, he’d shout, 'Shut up, shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about,' and talk over us for the entire 30-minute presentation," they said.

Additional accounts surfaced from other advocates who reported similar experiences. One recalls Barlet stating during a call, “You are a drop in the pond of accessibility. And I own the pond.” Another described being pressured to hand over their work, with Barlet threatening to sabotage the project using his industry connections if they refused.

Financial Irregularities and Questionable Spending

Beyond allegations of mistreatment, concerns over AbleGamers’ finances began to surface among senior staff. Former employees claim that under Barlet’s leadership, spending spiraled out of control, with questionable allocations that seemed disconnected from the organization’s mission.

"In late 2023, senior leaders were increasingly concerned about our budget," a former employee explained. "We knew revenues weren’t great, and expenses were getting out of hand."

Examples cited include first-class travel for leadership, hotel stays outside event dates, and lavish meals for remote workers. Perhaps most controversial was the purchase of a van intended for mobile outreach, bought during the pandemic when in-person activities were restricted.

"Mark bought a van overnight, wrapped it, and said we're launching a new initiative. But the van sat unused," the source said.

Another unusual expense involved the installation of a Tesla vehicle charger at headquarters—an item reportedly used exclusively by Barlet, despite none of the other employees owning Teslas. This led to frustration among board members who discovered the charge through financial records.

"They found the Tesla charger on statements and expressed concern over Mark using AbleGamers' money for personal convenience," the second source said. "Mark insisted it was for the organization, but no one else drove a Tesla."

There were also discrepancies in salary structures, with some lower-level employees earning more than directors or senior staff, leading to internal discontent.

"Directors questioned why some people were paid more despite doing less," the source added. "There was inconsistency in raises and promotions. Some people doing next to nothing were making nearly as much as the highest-paid staff, aside from Mark."

Leadership Inaction and Internal Fallout

Concerns over finances prompted the hiring of a Certified Public Accountant who served as Chief Financial Officer. For two years, the CFO reportedly raised alarms about financial irregularities, but according to sources, the board failed to take meaningful action. The CFO eventually left the organization, though details remain unclear.

"Mark kept the board completely separate from everyone else," the source said. "I asked leadership, ‘Can I speak to the board? This is getting ridiculous.’ And they replied, ‘I don’t know who any of them are.’ You’re supposed to be top leadership—how do you not even know who the board members are?"

Matters escalated in April 2024 when an investigation conducted by ADP allegedly recommended Barlet’s immediate termination due to serious misconduct allegations. However, the board reportedly ignored the findings. By May, multiple EEOC complaints were filed citing racism, ableism, sexual harassment, and leadership negligence.

In June, the board initiated its own internal investigation but remained silent on Barlet’s status until September, when it finally announced his departure. Employees were left in limbo, receiving little communication about leadership changes, budgets, or ongoing projects.

"We were told to talk to Steven Spohn, but he didn’t actually hold the executive director title or authority," the source said. "No one knew who was in charge, what projects to pursue, or even how the investigation was progressing."

The internal investigation was led by a law firm with pre-existing ties to AbleGamers, raising concerns about impartiality.

"That law firm was going to be tenants in our building for several years," the source said. "When I found out they were handling the investigation, I questioned whether it was fair. The board assured me it was, but I didn’t believe them."

Aftermath and Retaliation Allegations

Despite Barlet’s removal, tensions persisted. Multiple employees were reportedly let go in late 2024, many of whom had participated in the investigation or spoken with legal counsel.

"Those fired were all involved in reporting or legal discussions," the source said. "I believe I would’ve been fired too if I hadn’t left for personal reasons."

Former COO Steven Spohn, who acted as a liaison between Barlet and employees, allegedly reached out to former staff using manipulative language to discourage them from speaking with media outlets like IGN. Spohn did not respond to requests for comment.