Since its inception in 2004, AbleGamers has been a pivotal nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the gaming experience for individuals with disabilities. For nearly two decades, the charity has tirelessly worked to elevate disabled voices and improve accessibility within the gaming industry. Through its efforts, AbleGamers has become synonymous with video game accessibility, serving as a vital resource for developers, players, and journalists alike. The organization, founded by Mark Barlet, has made significant strides, including collaborations with major studios such as Xbox to develop the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation for the Access Controller, and even partnering with Bungie for exclusive merchandise. Moreover, AbleGamers has played a crucial role in educating developers about implementing accessibility options in games, as outlined on their website. The organization has also historically provided adaptive gaming equipment to disabled individuals, although this initiative has been discontinued as the accessibility movement has expanded.

Despite its commendable mission, recent reports from former employees and accessibility community members have surfaced, alleging a troubling environment within AbleGamers. These reports detail accusations of abuse, financial mismanagement, and a failure by the organization's leadership and board to protect its employees. According to a former employee, who preferred anonymity, Mark Barlet's behavior became concerning a few years into their employment. Over a decade, the source experienced sexist and emotionally abusive comments, including being inappropriately designated as the charity's HR due to their gender. The employee recounted Barlet's offensive remarks and behaviors, such as mocking individuals with disabilities and making sexually explicit comments, which contributed to a hostile work environment.

Barlet's alleged misconduct extended beyond the charity, impacting the broader accessibility community. Reports suggest that he consistently demeaned other accessibility advocates, attempting to position AbleGamers as the sole authority in the field. At industry events like The Game Accessibility Conference, Barlet reportedly disparaged other speakers and advocates, undermining their efforts and credibility. Anonymous sources further corroborated these accounts, describing instances where Barlet interrupted and spoke over others during important discussions, and even threatened to sabotage projects if they did not align with his vision.

Financial mismanagement is another critical issue highlighted by former employees. Despite raising millions through annual charity events, the allocation of funds has been questioned. Sources claim that Barlet's spending was often wasteful, including first-class tickets, unnecessary hotel stays, and lavish meals for staff, many of whom worked remotely. A particularly contentious expenditure was the purchase of a van during the pandemic, which was deemed impractical due to quarantine restrictions. Additionally, the installation of a Tesla charger at the headquarters, which only Barlet used, drew criticism from staff and board members. Salary discrepancies also surfaced, with allegations of favoritism and inconsistent pay scales among employees.

Leadership failures compounded these issues, with the board allegedly failing to act on financial concerns raised by a Certified Public Accountant hired as the Chief Financial Officer. The board's inaction persisted despite the CFO's warnings, leading to his temporary departure. Furthermore, the board's response to employee complaints was slow and inadequate, with investigations conducted by law firms with ties to AbleGamers, raising questions about their impartiality. Following an investigation by ADP, the board was advised to terminate Barlet immediately, but reportedly failed to do so promptly.

The culmination of these issues led to multiple Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints filed by former employees, citing racism, ableism, sexual harassment, misogyny, and leadership's failure to protect staff. Barlet's eventual departure from AbleGamers in September 2024 was controversial, with the board's lack of transparency and subsequent retaliation against whistleblowers drawing further criticism. Despite his removal, Barlet's influence persisted, as he co-founded AccessForge, an accessibility consulting group catering to various industries, including gaming.

In response to the allegations, Barlet denied claims of workplace abuse and harassment, asserting that an internal investigation cleared him of wrongdoing. He attributed the allegations to his decision to reduce the workforce and defended his expenditures as necessary for the organization's operations. However, former employees and sources continue to challenge these claims, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within AbleGamers.

For many in the disabled gaming community, AbleGamers represented a beacon of hope and inclusion. Yet, the revelations of internal strife and mismanagement have cast a shadow over the organization's achievements. The impact on former employees, who once saw their roles at AbleGamers as dream careers, underscores the need for systemic change to ensure that the charity's mission aligns with its practices.