As DEN grows under Vision 100, Airport Access ensures that accessibility, disability inclusion, and language access are embedded into how the airport plans, builds, communicates, and serves the public. 

As a DENtern you will get to experience working on projects such as, but not limited to: 

• Project #1: Accessibility & Civil Rights Training Development 

• Review and evaluate accessibility, ADA, and Title VI–related trainings to ensure they are effective, inclusive, and usable for DEN employees and DEN partners. 

• Support the development of a standardized training package that reflects disability rights principles, compliance requirements, and lived experience perspectives. 

• Assess trainings for clarity, accessibility, relevance, and applicability across diverse audiences. 

• Project #2: Wayfinding & Accessible Navigation Research 

• Evaluate current wayfinding practices through an accessibility lens, considering users with disabilities, limited English proficiency, neurodivergence, and varied mobility or sensory needs. 

• Identify barriers and opportunities related to signage, navigation tools, and information access. 

• Research emerging and best-practice wayfinding solutions that support independent navigation and universal design. 

• Project #3: Accessibility-Based Wayfinding Recommendations  

• Compare potential wayfinding solutions using criteria such as accessibility, usability, equity, scalability, and compliance. 

• Develop recommendations that align with ADA requirements, Title VI considerations, and inclusive design principles. 

• Project #4: Accessible DEN Tour Program Development  

• Assist in developing a structured and accessible DEN Tour framework that supports educational access while maintaining operational safety 

• Incorporate accessibility considerations such as mobility access, sensory impacts, communication needs, and inclusive participation. 

• Help define criteria, roles, and processes to ensure tours are consistent, equitable, and sustainable. 

• Project #5: SOP Development (Accessibility-Focused) 

• Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for: 

• Training vetting and evaluation 

• Wayfinding review and research processes 

• Accessible tour planning and delivery 

• Ensure SOPs reflect ADA and Title VI requirements and are clear, practical, and repeatable. 

• Project #6: Aviation Megatrend Research 

• Collaborate with a team of fellow DENterns to conduct discovery research on a key aviation megatrend. This includes gathering data, interviewing industry experts, and analyzing findings. At the end of the summer, your team will present insights to DEN’s executive leadership to help shape strategic innovation and prepare the airport for the future. 

What You’ll Bring 

Our ideal candidate is motivated by equity, civil rights, and accessibility and demonstrates: 

• Strong interest in disability rights, accessibility, ADA, Title VI, or social equity 

• Ability to think critically about systems, policies, and user experience 

• Initiative, ambition, and willingness to take ownership of projects 

• Accountability and follow-through on commitments 

• Comfort navigating ambiguity and proposing solutions 

• Respect for lived experience and diverse perspectives 

Desired Skill Set: 

• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats, including drafting SOPs, summaries, and training materials related to accessibility, ADA, and Title VI.  

• Cultural Competence: Demonstrates awareness, respect, and sensitivity to diverse cultures, identities, abilities, and lived experiences. Understands the importance of equitable access, language access, and inclusive practices when supporting travelers, employees, and partners. 

• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail when reviewing trainings, wayfinding materials, documentation, and SOPs to ensure accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and compliance with ADA and Title VI standards. 

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work collaboratively with internal DEN teams, external partners, and community stakeholders. Approaches interactions with professionalism, empathy, and respect, particularly when discussing accessibility needs and barriers. 

• Organization Skills: Demonstrates strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, track progress, meet deadlines, and maintain well-documented processes in a structured and efficient manner. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Education Requirement: This position is open to students currently enrolled in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, or higher degree (or up to one-year post-graduation) in areas such as disability studies, public policy, social work, planning, human-centered design, public administration, education, law, or related fields. 

• Experience: None 

• Education and Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted. 

Mandatory documentation required to be considered for this position: 

• 1–2-page resume 

• Transcripts – either official or unofficial; dated within your current academic term. This is only used to verify amounts of credits; grades will not influence decisions. 

Optional Documents 

• Cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position and 3-5 new skills, experiences, or tools you are hoping to take away from this experience.  

Application Deadline   

This position is expected to stay open until Monday, February 23, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59 PM.