Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Sensory Space: Navigating Data Accessibility for Disabled Individuals through Yelp Web Scraping

Publication Date

Spring 2024

College

Sciences and Mathematics, College of

Department

Math and Computer Science, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Christina Davis

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Wow! It is really loud/bright/crowded in here?” or “Why does every building on campus have entirely different lighting?” or even “This is accessible, but incredibly difficult to use.” In an increasingly digital world, accessibility to location information is crucial, particularly for individuals with disabilities. This project endeavors to enhance data accessibility for disabled individuals by leveraging web scraping techniques on Yelp, a popular platform for business reviews and information. Utilizing Beautiful Soup 4, a web scraping tool, and Python 3, this semester’s objective was to set up the basis for extracting relevant data from Yelp's website, with the aim of providing tailored information catering to the specific needs of disabled individuals, such as accessibility features of businesses.

While the initial phase of the project encountered challenges and limitations, including the dynamic nature of Yelp's website structure and the intricacies of web scraping, valuable insights were gained. This project lays the groundwork for future endeavors in improving data accessibility for disabled individuals.

Moving forward, the project will continue in the next semester, with a focus on refining web scraping methodologies, addressing technical obstacles, and, possibly, implementing artificial intelligence for optimal review analysis. By persisting in this endeavor, this project aims to contribute to the broader goal of fostering inclusivity and equal access to information in the digital landscape.

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