You are correct that exception implies “deficiency”. But, in my view, I think you’re approaching it the wrong way.

Firstly, recognizing that a “class” is “deficient”, in the sense of having special needs, is neither insulting nor problematic. A child has different needs then an adult, which are different from an old person. Not creating “exceptions” for a huge class as children or elderly is the problematic behavior. The same applies for gender, race, religion, and other “class” of people which are not of “cultural dominance”.

So, if the society does to provide “exceptions” for this “classes” of people, the society itself is the one that is “deficient” in providing the needs of its people. Specially if that “system” is already created without those classes of people in mind. Shouldn’t a restaurant, built on the top of a stairway, create a way for persons on wheelchairs to enjoy its food? Or is it insulting for those people to have an accessible way that the majority of the people will not use?