It sounds as though deliberate cloud flying of gliders is much more common in the UK and some other European countries than where most of you fly. Hitherto no special rating has been required in the UK but a glider cloud flying rating has recently been introduced and may be required in due course for any glider flight not under vfr. Equipping gliders with A-H's is routine, most newer ones now being equipped with instant on electronic devices (In many cases, internal to flight computers).