Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Sensory Space: Navigating Data Accessibility for Disabled Individuals through Yelp Web Scraping
Publication Date
Fall 11-2024
College
Sciences and Mathematics, College of
Department
Math and Computer Science, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Christina Davis
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
In an increasingly digital world, access to location information is crucial, particularly for individuals with disabilities. This project aims 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 and Selenium, web scraping tools, and Python 3, last semester’s objective was to set up the basis for extracting relevant data from Yelp's website, with the aim of providing information tailored to disabled individuals and their specific needs. Despite initial challenges with scraping large volumes of reviews, valuable insights were gained, which enables researchers to scrape all reviews from any business on Yelp. This achievement lays the groundwork for future improvement in data accessibility for disabled individuals. This semester, the project focus is on refining and automating scraping methodologies, information storage/retrieval, and the incorporation of artificial intelligence to optimize review analysis. By persisting in this endeavor, this project will contribute to the broader goal of fostering inclusivity and equal access to information in the digital landscape.
Recommended Citation
Niesen, Zoe, "Sensory Space: Navigating Data Accessibility for Disabled Individuals through Yelp Web Scraping" (2024). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 179.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/179