Door lock and latch problem '96 Limited
 

I have a '96 Limited 4Runner. The problem started when I could unlock the doors on the driver side but couldn't open the door. It was like the handle wasn't engaging, felt the same as when it is locked. The door can be opened from the inside. Then it got worse, when I put down the window the door swung open and I couldn't get it to shut. I managed to coax the window up, and babied the door into staying shut. The latest is, that the drivers side door lock doesn't do anything anymore. Where it used to unlock the doors, now it wont even turn. Please help. What should I be looking for? Is this a do it yourself fix? How do I get the door panel off?