Draft:Taylor Duncan (disability advocate)

Taylor Clark Duncan (born 1995 in Dallas, Georgia, United States of America) is an American disability rights advocate, motivational speaker, and the founder of Alternative Baseball, a nonprofit organization that provides baseball opportunities for teens and adults with autism and other disabilities. Duncan, who has autism himself, established the organization in 2016 to promote inclusivity through sports.

Early Life and Education
Taylor Duncan was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. Duncan attended Nebo Elementary School in Dallas, Georgia but has lived and attended school in both Carroll and Paulding Counties in Georgia. Duncan was often denied opportunities to play traditional sports as a child due to developmental delays or negative stigmas of autism and disability. As of 2020, Duncan is pursuing a degree in Nonprofit Business Administration with minors in Sports Management and Theology at Toccoa Falls College.

Alternative Baseball
In 2016, Duncan founded Alternative Baseball to provide inclusive baseball opportunities for individuals with autism and other disabilities. The organization initially operated as a competitive baseball league but shifted its focus during the COVID-19 pandemic to emphasize advocacy for community integration and inclusion through various outlets, including a community-based version of baseball. Duncan organized the "Playing for Integration Tour," featuring baseball games with athletes with disabilities, local community leaders, former professional baseball players, and local celebrities. Under his leadership, Alternative Baseball became an associated member of the World Baseball Softball Confederation, the governing body for baseball and softball at the Olympic Games. Duncan reorganized the organization's activities to focus more on personal growth than on elements of competition

Public Speaking
Duncan has spoken about his experiences and advocacy work at various events, including TEDxAtlanta, Clemson University, and Toastmasters International District Conferences.

Recognition and Awards
Duncan has received several honors for his work in disability advocacy and sports inclusion:


 * Georgia House of Representatives - Commemorated, House Resolution 1420 (March 8, 2018)
 * Georgia Sports Hall of Fame - J.B. Hawkins Humanitarian Award
 * Atlanta Braves - Commemorated as a "Community Hero" (April 18, 2019)

Duncan's work with Alternative Baseball has been featured in various media outlets, including Sports Illustrated, ESPN Baseball Tonight , and NBC.