Trauma-Informed and Bias-Resistant Resources
Resources for Courts funded by the AAA-ICDR Foundation and developed by the CUNY Dispute Resolution Center in collaboration with MH Mediate
NOTE: This website is currently in the process of being updated. The layout, images, and content may change. It is being kept visible during this process in case people need to access the resources.
Become Trauma-Informed
Appreciate trauma, learn trauma-informed practices, and become sensitive to the power imbalances and diverse groups
Become Bias-Resistant
Develop consistent practices for being accessible and communicating via email, questions, and comments
Respond to Challenges
Plan impartial responses to challenging behaviors and complaints while also practicing self-care
“These tools can provide some practical ways to ensure equal access to justice for diverse constituents, despite unconscious bias and structural inequities.”
Our MISSION
Simple ways to support people and reduce bias
Each of the tools at BiasResistantCourts.org is a single page in length, distilling key concepts, and linked to a short video explaining how to use it. The hope is that people can save these practical tools and incorporate them into their regular practices.
User-Friendly Tools
Oriented to Practical Moments
Resources to Help Make Awkward and Challenging Moments Easier
A Tangible Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
How We Developed These Resources
Pilot Surveys
Over a dozen state and federal courts were involved in providing their examples of scenarios to help identify key priorities
Diversity Advisors
A panel of advisors with lived experience representing a cross-section of diversity groups provided feedback to help refine the resources
Interdisciplinary Best Practices
Literature reviews across disciplines (including trauma, procedural fairness, conflict resolution, accessibility, and more) were used to adapt tools for courts
User Experience
The resources were designed to be user-friendly and adaptable across different people, courts, and contexts