Veterans
AbleGamers was founded by Mark Barlet, a Service-Disabled Air Force veteran whose service ended after an accident left him disabled. The resilience and adaptability he honed in the military became a cornerstone of the work he went on to build with AbleGamers, which he founded in 2004 after a close friend’s life-altering diagnosis.
Gaming can be an invaluable refuge for those transitioning to civilian life, healing from injuries, or seeking camaraderie with fellow veterans — offering real therapeutic value and a sense of community. The military principle of leaving no one behind directly inspired our commitment that no gamer should ever be excluded from the experiences games bring.
One example: the Cleveland, OH VA has partnered with AbleGamers to support Service-Disabled Veterans in their quest to game — a sign of the VA’s growing recognition of gaming’s therapeutic value.