Mark Barlet

About Mark Barlet

As a proud Service-Disabled Veteran and member of the LGBT community, I’ve dedicated my career to breaking barriers and championing inclusion for people of all backgrounds and abilities. My mission is to drive innovation and ensure equitable access to opportunities, creating a world where everyone can thrive.I’m best known as the founder of AbleGamers Charity, where I spent over two decades revolutionizing accessibility in gaming. By collaborating with industry leaders like Microsoft and Blizzard, I’ve helped shape inclusive design practices that have impacted millions of gamers with disabilities across the globe. My leadership in this field earned me the esteemed American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award in 2012.My approach combines bold, outside-the-box thinking with a deep commitment to practical solutions. I thrive on tackling complex challenges, from consulting with Fortune 500 companies to driving accessibility innovation in gaming and beyond. My thought leadership has been featured in major outlets such as Wired Magazine, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, influencing how industries approach accessibility.I believe that real impact starts with people. As a leader, I focus on building collaborative, empowering environments where every team member feels valued and supported. I’m passionate about unlocking potential, fostering creativity, and inspiring teams to think differently to achieve transformational change.Today, I continue to push boundaries as a speaker, consultant, and accessibility expert, sharing my vision at conferences like GDC, PAX, and DevCom. Whether it’s reimagining how we design products or helping companies connect with underserved communities, I am driven by the belief that inclusion fuels innovation—and that the best solutions are yet to come.

Experience

1. Chief Operating Officer

   Accessforge

   Dec 2024 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   As the COO and Co-Founder of AccessForge, I am committed to spearheading operational excellence and strategic leadership to redefine accessibility across industries. My role encompasses building and overseeing the organization\'s core operations, ensuring seamless execution of our mission to move accessibility beyond compliance and into innovation, equity, and inclusion.Collaborating closely with Cheryl Mitchell, also a Co-Founder and an expert in disability policy with over 25 years of experience, I drive the development and implementation of initiatives that empower businesses to create meaningful, inclusive experiences. From aviation and travel to gaming and beyond, I focus on helping industries reimagine their services to support and uplift the disabled community.At AccessForge, I leverage my proven track record of industry transformation, honed during my tenure as the Founder of AbleGamers, where I demonstrated that dedication and innovation can revolutionize an entire sector. I bring this same passion and commitment to AccessForge, where I aim to inspire actionable change and foster a more inclusive future.Key responsibilities- Leading operational strategy to align with our mission of accessibility innovation- Partnering with clients to reimagine services that empower individuals with disabilities- Driving collaborative partnerships to expand our impact across industries- Cultivating a culture of inclusivity and excellence within the organization- Together with Cheryl and our partners, I am proud to lead AccessForge as we set a new standard for accessibility and inclusion.

Education

• Community College of the Air Force

  MLT, Medical Lab

  1993 — 1996

Skills

• Non-Profits
• Agile Methodologies
• Management
• Veterans
• Business Analysis
• Xbox 360
• Quality Assurance
• Program Management
• Software Quality Assurance
• Test Planning
• Regression Testing
• Leadership
• Scrum
• Training
• Testing
• Accessibility
• Jira
• Project Management
• Databases
• Video Games
• Test Management
• Integration
• Usability Testing
• System Testing
• Iv&V
• Nonprofits
• User Acceptance Testing
• Business Strategy
• Software Documentation
• Section 508
• Strategy
• E-Commerce
• Start-Ups