How can I easily unlock the drivers door (from the inside)? mechanism broke?

Chrysler Neon (about year 2000)

the two plastic cogs inside the drivers door locking mechanism are slipping, and so we can't even open the door to replace this mechanism. Is there a way of easily opening the door? We have access to the inside from the passenger side, and already have some of the trim peeled back.

Thanks

BushFA
September 2009