The special tool is nice because you don't need to worry about the screwdriver slipping and damaging the paint, but you can get away without using it.
If you are careful you can change the filter without disconnecting the fuel lines and wiring.
The fuel canister will come out of the top of the fuel tank just far enough to access it , then you can pull the clip and separate the canister and pull the filter and install the new filter and then put it back together.
You just need to be a little more careful doing it this way because you could drop the clip into the tank, stuffing a few rags in the fuel tank opening will prevent the clip from dropping in .