2002 Ford Focus handle "stuck"

I own a 2002 Ford Focus and this problem is easy to trouble shoot. Toward the front of the handle where it goes into the floor of the car there is a little circular cap that u can pop out. If u pop it out u will see a whit piece of plastic if u push this down with a small screwdriver while trying to push the button in it will work. The reason it locked up in my car is because it is a saftey feature that usually comes into play when there is a break problem or when the sensor for this burns out.