how do you turn the airbag off in the 2001 intrepid

Two ways to do it -- one is to pull the airbag relay, normally located in the integrated power module (fuse box) under the hood. You may need a manual or at least the cover of the IPM to show you which one it is -- it may be listed as the SRS relay (selective restraint system) or something else. Also, you can typically disconnect the yellow wires running down the steering column in order to disconnect the airbag assembly at least in the steering column, if you are doing an ignition switch replacement, etc. But pulling the relay is the better option.